The Love of Jesus Tried by Satan

Matthew 4:1-11

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"Jesus loves me.  This I know."  These words are from a children's song, but they pack some of the greatest theology known to man.  

These words also serve as the modern war cry of evangelicalism.  Evangelicals love to focus on the fact that "Jesus loves me."  And we should focus on that fact.  It is important. It is one of the fundamentals tenets of our faith.  

But there is something that is even more foundational to our faith than "Jesus loves me.'  It's that Jesus loved his Father.

Before we can even sing "Jesus loves me" it was necessary that Jesus love his Father.  Our salvation depends on Christ's love for his Father.  And that is what this passage in Matthew 4 is all about.  In this passage Jesus is tried by Satan.  Jesus is tempted by the devil.  And it was necessary to do so because Jesus had to prove his love for the Father.

You may remember that a long time ago there was a guy by the name of Adam who was tempted by Satan, and he fell into that temptation.  What happened there is that Adam failed to love the Lord with all his heart.  His love for God was tested and he failed miserably.

But when Jesus comes along, he comes as the Second Adam.  And his love had to be tested and tried in order for him to bring us salvation.  And that is what this passage is all about.  

So I want us to think about how Jesus was tried by Satan and how it really reveals his love for the Father.  As you think about this test, one thing you have to keep in mind is that it is a voluntary act.

I. It is a voluntary act 

II. It is humiliating act

III. It is a painful act 
      A. Satan questions God’s provision
      B. Satan questions God’s protection
      C. Satan questions God’s plan

IV. It is a redeeming act