en_obs-sq/content/25.md

25. Satan Tempts Jesus

What the Story Says

1. Why did Jesus go out into the wilderness?

   The Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness (See: 25:01).

2. What did Jesus do in the wilderness before Satan came to tempt him?

   Jesus had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights before Satan came to tempt him (See: 25:01).

3. What did Satan tell Jesus to do the first time he tempted him?

   Satan told Jesus to turn the rocks into bread so he could eat. (See: 25:02).

4. What did Jesus say was more important than eating bread?

   Jesus said it was more important to obey God than to eat bread (See: 25:03).

5. Why did Satan say that Jesus would not be hurt if he jumped off the top of the Temple?

   Satan said the angels of God would catch Jesus so that he would not hit the ground (See: 25:04).

6. Why did Jesus refuse to jump off the top of the Temple?

   Jesus did not want to test God, and God had not told him to jump off the Temple (See: 25:05).

7. What was the only thing Satan told Jesus to do in order to receive all the kingdoms of the world?

   Satan told Jesus he would give him all the kingdoms of the world if he would bow down and worship Satan (See: 25:06).

8. Did Jesus do any of the sinful things that Satan tempted him to do?

   No, Jesus refused to do any of the things that Satan told him to do (See: 25:08).

What the Story Means to Us

1. Why do you think Satan tempted Jesus to turn a stone into bread?

   Satan knew that Jesus was very hungry after he had fasted for 40 days and nights. Satan often uses a person’s weakness when he tries to tempt them.

2. Why do you think the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to fast for 40 days?

   God wanted to prove that Jesus would not sin. To show this, he caused Jesus to be weak and hungry. Yet, even though Jesus was weak, he did not sin. He did not do what Satan told him to do.

3. Why did Satan quote from the scripture when he told Jesus to jump off the top of the Temple?

   Satan knows the scripture and can quote it. However, he does not use the scripture in the correct way. He tries to give the scripture meanings that God did not intend for it to have. Satan only uses the scripture to deceive people.

4. Did Satan really have the authority to offer all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus?

   Jesus did not contradict Satan when. There is no reason to believe that Satan cannot give people wealth and power in this world.

5. How was Satan trying to deceive Jesus by offering him all the kingdoms of the world?

   The things in this world will end. However, only God can give wealth and power that lasts forever in heaven. Jesus correctly chose to wait until God gave him all the kingdoms of the world so that he could rule forever in heaven.

6. Why was it impossible for Jesus to worship Satan even for a short time in order to receive the kingdoms of this world from Satan?

   God demands that people serve him alone. It is never right to serve Satan or anyone else—not even for a short time. We are to worship God only. We sin if we worship anyone or anything other than God.

Summary

Jesus could not die for the sins of other people if he himself were a sinner. Therefore, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness so that Satan could tempt him. God wanted to prove to Satan and everyone else that Jesus never sinned, even though Satan personally tried to make him sin. Jesus was weak, tired, and hungry. Even so, he never sinned. He refused to do what Satan told him to do. He understood when Satan used scripture to try to trick him into testing God. And Jesus chose not to accept all the wealth and power in the world from Satan. Instead, he faithfully waited until God would make him ruler over the world. This would not happen until after he had suffered for our sins.