After coming out of the water, Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. 

He’s there fasting for 40 days and during that time is tempted by the devil. It sounds a bit like a miniature re-enactment of the Exodus and Israel’s desert wanderings. Unlike Israel who failed to trust God’s words, Jesus never falters.

The words from heaven when he was baptised were ‘you are my one dear son’, and most of the devil’s temptations revolve around trying to get Jesus to doubt that, saying things like, ‘if you are the son of God, turn these stones into bread’. Jesus is tempted to prove his identity for his own sake, instead of trusting God’s clear declaration. But again and again Jesus shows that his heart is pure and true, and his trust in God’s timing, and God’s methods for proving his identity, is perfect.

In today's story we hear what Jesus did next, including almost getting himself thrown off a cliff.

The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved