The Gospel of Matthew is written
with an emphasis on Jesus as an authoritative teacher. Matthew observed that
Jesus’s audience recognized and responded to his teaching: “When Jesus
had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because
he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”
(Matthew 7:28-29 NIV) For one to have authority, it implies that they are an
expert and have the right to command their audience. This authority is part of
Christ’s deity; but also being fully man, Christ had to demonstrate that his
human will was in submission to his deity.
He
includes the account of Christ being tempted by Satan in Matthew 4:1-10. Christ
was tempted in three areas: the miraculous appearing and provision of food; the
testing of God to defy the laws of science; and to worship Satan in exchange
for worldly dominion. By not giving into temptation, Christ demonstrated that
his human nature was in submission to God. He had victory over temptation before
starting his public ministry.
During
his public ministry and up till the time of his resurrection, Christ uses his
authority in the same areas in which he was tempted. In Matthew 14, Christ
preforms the miracle of food provision (Mt 14:19-21). Jesus then used his
authority to defy the laws of science by walking on water (Mt 14:25-33). He
also demonstrated his authority of dominion by claiming all authority on heaven
and on earth after his resurrection (Mt 28:16-20).
Christ’s
victory over temptation had a direct impact on his ministry. By conquering
temptation, it validated Christ’s authority. Temptation, by design, is supposed
to subject, destroy, and kill. It is also not an indication of weakness or
inadequacy. By overcoming temptation, one is then available to God moving in
authority in those areas. Victory over temptation is more than a relief from
the current struggle; it is a powerful indicator of the authority that God has
given to move in the supernatural.
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