Into the Wilderness, by Eva Koleva Timothy

January 30–February 5

Matthew 4; Luke 4–5

“The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me”

The Savior used the scriptures both to resist Satan’s temptations and to testify of His own divine mission (see Luke 4:1–21). Ponder how the scriptures can build your faith and your resolve to resist temptation.

Record Your Impressions

From His youth, Jesus seemed to be aware that He had a unique, sacred mission. But as Jesus prepared to begin His earthly ministry, the adversary sought to plant doubt in the Savior’s mind. “If thou be the Son of God,” Satan said (Luke 4:3, italics added). But the Savior had communed with His Father in Heaven. He knew the scriptures, and He knew who He was. To Him, Satan’s offer—“All this power will I give thee” (Luke 4:6)—was a hollow one, for the Savior’s lifelong preparation allowed Him to receive “the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14). So despite temptation, trials, and rejection, Jesus Christ never wavered from His appointed work: “I must preach the kingdom of God … for therefore am I sent” (Luke 4:43).

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Matthew 4:1–2

Communing with God prepares me to serve Him.

To prepare for His mission, Jesus went into the wilderness “to be with God” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:1 [in Matthew 4:1, footnote b]). Think of what you do to feel close to God. How does this prepare you for the work He wants you to do?

Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13

Jesus Christ set the example for me by resisting temptation.

Sometimes people feel guilty when they are tempted to sin. But even the Savior, who lived “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15), was tempted. Jesus Christ knows the temptations we face and how to help us overcome them (see Hebrews 2:18; Alma 7:11–12).

As you read Matthew 4:1–11 and Luke 4:1–13, what do you learn that can help you when you face temptations? You could organize your thoughts in a table like this one:

Jesus Christ	Me
Jesus Christ What did Satan tempt Christ to do?	Me What does Satan tempt me to do?
Jesus Christ How did Christ prepare to resist temptation?	Me How can I prepare to resist temptation?
Jesus Christ	Me

What additional insights do you gain from the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 4? (see footnotes throughout Matthew 4).

See also 1 Corinthians 10:13; Alma 13:28; Moses 1:10–22; Gospel Topics, “Temptation,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Luke 4:16–32

Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah.

If you were asked to describe what Jesus Christ was sent to earth to do, what would you say? By quoting one of Isaiah’s prophecies about the Messiah, the Savior described aspects of His own mission (see Luke 4:18–19; Isaiah 61:1–2). What do you learn about His mission as you read these verses?

What are some ways the Savior invites you to participate in His work?

Although the Jews had been waiting for centuries for Isaiah’s prophecy to be fulfilled, many did not accept that Jesus was the Messiah when He declared, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Luke 4:21). As you read Luke 4:20–30 (see also Mark 6:1–6), try to put yourself in the place of the people of Nazareth. Is there anything that might prevent you from fully accepting Christ as your personal Savior?

See also Mosiah 3:5–12; “Jesus Declares He Is the Messiah” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Matthew 4:18–22; Luke 5:1–11

As I trust in the Lord, He can help me reach my divine potential.

President Ezra Taft Benson taught, “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson [2014], 42). Note how this happened to Simon Peter and his fellow fishermen. Jesus saw something greater in them than they saw in themselves. He wanted to make them “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19; see also Luke 5:10).

As you read Matthew 4:18–22 and Luke 5:1–11, ponder what Jesus Christ is helping you to become. How have you felt Him inviting you to follow Him? How can you show the Lord that you are willing to forsake all things to follow Him? (see Luke 5:11).

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

Matthew 4:1–2; Luke 4:1–2.What insights can we gain from this account about the power of fasting? To help your family learn about fasting, you might use “Fasting and Fast Offerings” in Gospel Topics (topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Family members could share experiences they have had with fasting. Perhaps you could prayerfully make plans to fast together for a specific purpose.

Matthew 4:3–4; Luke 4:3–4.When Satan tempted Christ to turn a stone to bread, he challenged Christ’s divine identity by saying, “If thou be the Son of God” (Matthew 4:3, italics added). Why does Satan try to make us doubt our divine identity—and the Savior’s? How does he try to do this? (See also Moses 1:10–23.)

Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:11.After Jesus was physically and spiritually tested, His thoughts turned to the needs of John the Baptist, who was in prison: “And now Jesus knew that John was cast into prison, and he sent angels, and, behold, they came and ministered unto him [John]” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:11 [in Matthew 4:11, footnote a). How are we blessed as we follow Christ’s example of thinking of others?

Luke 4:16–21.Do we know anyone who is brokenhearted or who needs to be “set at liberty”? (Luke 4:18). How can we help others receive the Savior’s healing and deliverance? You might also discuss how performing temple ordinances helps bring “deliverance to the captives” (Luke 4:18).

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested hymn: “Come, Follow Me,” Hymns, no. 116.

Improving Our Teaching

Live the gospel of Jesus Christ. “Perhaps the most important thing you can do [as a parent or teacher] is to … live the gospel with all your heart. … This is the principal way to qualify for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. You don’t have to be perfect, just diligently trying—and seeking forgiveness through the Savior’s Atonement whenever you stumble” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 13).

Christ Calling the Apostles James and John, Edward Armitage (1817–96)/Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust, UK/© Museums Sheffield/The Bridgeman Art Library International