Starving for Food, but Full on the Word of God

Much of what is presented in Matthew 4:1-11, the temptation of Jesus Christ, is similar to the concepts I have expounded upon recently regarding the necessity of theology derived from the Word of God. Scripture forms the foundational basis for what we believe, and those beliefs affect how we live and experience circumstances. Jesus exemplifies standing upon the Scriptures and having a theology derived from them, even as the author of Scripture.

Having a theology derived from Scripture is one of the greatest advantages Christians can have, especially when facing temptation. Jesus shows how a Christian should endure temptation by applying specific passages of Scripture to the circumstances. The goal tonight is to see how Jesus endured temptation and embrace the attitude that though we may be starving for food, we can still be full on the Word.

Jesus exemplifies that in the context of starving for food, he was full on the Word of God. Though we may be deprived of physical necessities, it is okay as long as we have spiritual satisfaction from a robust repertoire of gospel-centered concepts from Scripture to employ against temptation. If temptation is combated by theology and the Word of God, other life circumstances can be as well.

1. Being Full on the Word Produces Satisfaction

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:1-4)

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. This was no understatement. Jesus provides a new Exodus, drawn into the wilderness for forty days, corresponding to Israel's forty years. He endured without manna and is himself the manna. He proves faithful to God amid deprivation of food, a physical necessity.

Jesus fulfills what Israel should have accomplished. After forty days without food, hunger intensified, and Satan tempted him. Jesus is not tempted because he could sin— he is the sinless Son of God, fully God and fully human. If he could sin, he could not be God.

Why then does Satan tempt him? Jesus is in control, by God's decree, to give his people an example for temptation—less severe than his. He refutes Satan with God's Word, keeping his way pure.

Satan also exploits the context: Jesus' humanity suffering confrontation with sin. As Christians progress in sanctification, sin antagonizes more. Like Paul, who later called himself chief of sinners despite growth in holiness, sin should bother us increasingly.

What does sin look like in your life—is it tolerable or antagonizing? As culture dives into deeper sin, Christians progressing in holiness become more intolerant of it, as the holy Son of God did here.

Satan came when Jesus was hungry: “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” This is sleight of hand, distracting from denying his sonship. It tempts with craving, not just sin. Satisfaction means contentment with God, not discontent leading to other pursuits.

The first Adam fell to discontentment; the second Adam resisted. Satan instilled doubt in God's goodness and provision, as in Eden. Adam and Eve were not full on the Word, missing God's full promises, so the fruit seemed desirable.

Jesus, starving, responds: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Even the Son of God quotes Scripture, giving God's wisdom: life hangs on every word from God's mouth, a continuous lifestyle of contentment.

This is not balance between food and Word, but primacy of the Word. Jesus fasted forty days, proving man lives by every word from God. Consume the Word before temptation.

Deuteronomy 8:3 recalls the Exodus: God humbled Israel with hunger, fed them manna to teach this truth. Jesus is the true bread from heaven (John 6).

2. Being Faithful to the Word Produces Endurance

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:5-7)

Satan quotes Scripture, memorized but twisted: Psalm 91, Messianic, about Christ. Angels did minister to him (v. 11). But isolated, it tempts testing God—doubting his faithfulness after sustaining Jesus forty days.

Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:16, referencing Exodus 17:1-7, where Israel tested God at Massah despite his deliverance from Egypt. They grumbled, doubting God's presence amid thirst.

God sustained Israel miraculously, yet they tested him. Jesus' new Exodus shows God's faithfulness. Knowing God's salvation, we should trust him in thirst or trial, not test him through discontent.

Discontent leads to idolatry, as with the golden calf—better than God himself.

3. Being Fulfilled in the Word Produces Satisfaction

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. (Matthew 4:8-11)

Satan offers kingdoms for worship—a compromising shortcut to rule, like promising Constantine's legalization. But Satan cannot deliver; sin promises what it cannot fulfill.

Jesus commands, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve’” (Deuteronomy 6:13). In control, he quotes Scripture again.

God's authority exceeds Satan's—limited, not omnipresent or omnipotent. Worship focuses on what God receives, not us. After forty days hungry, Jesus prioritized God's Word and glory.

Sin promises much for devotion but delivers little. God delivers on promises and deserves our worship. Remember the gospel to see his worthiness. Embrace a Christlike attitude: found everything on correct handling of the Word, trusting God's faithfulness amid unfaithful circumstances. Be content with God, longing for eternity with him.