40 Days to Breakthrough
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness after an incredible encounter He had with the Father about His Sonship.
Jesus was tempted by the devil.
Tempted in the Greek means “To test, scrutinize, examine, discipline, prove.”
Jesus was hungry. So what was the first test? Turn these stones into bread. But Jesus knew what God was calling Him to and didn’t waver.
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
Jesus was aware that He was the one being tested, not God. It was not God to submit to His bidding, but His to God’s.
Jesus was aware He didn’t have to do any acts to prove He is the Son of God.
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Jesus was willing to take the hard road.
He wasn’t willing to sway in order to have human glory.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he must flee from you.
Some points to consider:
The test was 40 days total, not just at the end.
At the end of 40 days Jesus was proved faithful and steadfast.
Nothing could put a dent in His character.
After 40 days it wasn’t Jesus who came out defeated, it was the devil.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Who do you have the courage to become?
You’re being trained to reign.