The Faithful Son

Matthew 4
Mike Maglish

Part of Matthew: Everyone Willing to Go

September 17, 2026

This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” —Matthew 3:17This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” —Mathhew 2:15

TYPOLOGY

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. —Hosea 11:1

JESUS THE FAITHFUL SON

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. —Matthew 4:1And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. —Deuteronomy 8:2-3

Wilderness Represents OPPORTUNITY for DEPENDANCE on God.

TEMPTATION 1 - PROVISION WITHOUT DEPENDANCE

And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” —Matthew 4:3And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. —Deuteronomy 8:3

Jesus chose DEPENDANCE not SHORTCUTS.

TEMPTATION #2 - SPECTACLE WITHOUT TRUST

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.’” —Matthew 4:5-6Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” —Matthew 4:7You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah. —Deuteronomy 6:16

See Exodus 17

Faith Doesn’t FORCE God To PROVE He Is Faithful.

TEMPTATION #3 - A KINGDOM WITHOUT A CROSS

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.” —Matthew 4:8–9

SATAN’S OFFER: No Rejection, No Suffering, No Cross

What God gives through OBEDIENCE does not require sinful SHORTCUT.

Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned. —Matthew 4:12–16

Zebulun and Naphtali - Known for invasion, humiliation, conquest and exile. 2 Kings 15 records people being carried away by the Assyrian invasion. It was known as a land of darkness. 

There is no DARKNESS too great for JESUS.

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. —Matthew 3:2From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” —Matthew 4:17

Takeaway: Trust in JESUS because He is FAITHFUL.