What Jesus Did! 'True Bread, True Word' — Matthew 4:2-4

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Jesus ate nothing for 40 days and nights. After this, he was very hungry. The devil came to Jesus to tempt him. The devil said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these rocks to become bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written {in the Scriptures}, 'It is not just bread that keeps people alive. People's lives depend on what God says.'"
— Matthew 4:2-4 NLT
Illustration of Matthew 4:2-4 NLT — "If you are the Son of God, tell these rocks to become bread." —— "It is written {in the Scriptures}, 'It is not just bread that keeps people alive. People's lives depend on what God says.'"

Key Thought

Just as Israel faced the battle of temptation in the desert, Jesus does, too. But unlike Israel which always seemed to get hung up on physical needs rather than following God, Jesus chose to honor and focus on the Father rather than himself. Nowhere is this seen more clearly than in the two great temptation crises of his ministry: his temptations here and in the Garden shortly before his death. In both situations, and all the others in between, Jesus chose God's will and God's glory over his own needs and desires. God's word, God's will, was what Jesus fed on more than physical food. He is our example that we should not try to live a day without our spiritual food or our souls will be hungrier than our bellies on a 40 day fast!

Today's Prayer

O Father, God, who fills every empty place and fulfills every need, stir me to a holy hunger for your Word and an insatiable appetite to do your will. I confess that I find it so hard to keep my mind off the distractions my undisciplined appetite craves, so please help me learn that my only lasting answer to true hunger is with you. Through the grace of Jesus' intercession I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 4:31, 34
  • John 6:35, 38
  • Matthew 26:36-42

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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