Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "  Matthew 4:4

The first time we read our memory verse this week, we asked:

1.  Who is Jesus answering?

2.  Where is it written?

In order to read in context we have to answer these questions.  We discover that this is the story of Satan tempting Jesus in the desert and that Jesus is quoting Moses from Deuteronomy 8:3 when he is speaking to the Israelites.

A couple of worthy things to note from footnotes I read:

1.  You can't show true obedience without the opportunity to disobey.  Testing will come so be alert and ready for it.

2.  Jesus wasn't tempted in the temple or at his baptism but in the desert where he was alone, tired and hungry.  Satan often tempts us when we are vulnerable.

I'd like to quote the footnote for Matthew 4:3,4 from the NIV, Life Application Study Bible.

Jesus was able to resist all of the devil's temptations because he not only knew Scripture, but he also obeyed it.  Ephesians 6:17 says that God's Word is a sword to use in spiritual combat.  Knowing Bible verses is an important step in helping us resist the devil's attacks, but we must also obey the Bible.  Note that Satan had memorized Scripture, but he failed to obey it.  Knowing and obeying the Bible helps us follow God's desires rather than the devil's.

Deuteronomy 8:3
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Footnote:
Many people think that life is based on satisfying their appetites.  If they can earn enough money to dress, eat, and play in high style, they think they are living "the good life."  But such things do not satisfy our deepest longings.  In the end they leave us empty and dissatisfied.  Real life, according to Moses, comes from total commitment to God, the one who created life itself.  It requires discipline, sacrifice, and hard work, and that's why most people never find it.

Lord, help us in memorizing our verses not to leave obedience out of the equation.  Let us not merely be hearers but doers of Your Word.  May we hunger and thirst for You and realize that we do not live on bread alone or any other thing this world has to offer but that our true satisfaction and life is found in You alone!  Amen!

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