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.’” Matthew 4:3-4

Did the tempter really believe Jesus wasn’t the Son of God? Of course not. He knew better than any living creature who the Second Person of the Godhead was and where He was at all times. His pride would never stop him from trying to trip Him up no matter where He went. He used various events and people as his willing pawns.

All to no avail.

No, Satan was trying to trip up the Son of God by commanding him to change an inedible object into something edible, something that Jesus actually demonstrate later when He turned the water into wine (undrinkable water to drinkable wine).

This time, however, Jesus used Scripture to counter His enemy. In fact, in all three temptation, Jesus used Scripture.

He knew Scripture.

He was Scripture.

Jesus’ chosen weapon against his most clever and deceitful enemy was the Word of God.

Recently our youth pastor asked a question I’m still thinking about.

“If the congregation were forced to piece together the Bible from memory, how far would we get? Would we collectively be able to put together even one book in the New Testament?”