A Journey through the Red Letters Matthew 4:1-4

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" (Matthew 4:1-4 NASB)

When I read what Jesus said to the tempter I thought about Esau. Esau had a twin brother named Jacob. One day Esau came home hungry after hunting. Jacob was cooking a stew and Esau wanted Jacob to feed him.

When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents. Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; and Esau said to Jacob, "Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished." Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, "First sell me your birthright." Esau said, "Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?" And Jacob said, "First swear to me"; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.
Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. (Genesis 25:27-34 NASB

Esau gave up his rightful place as first born son for food. He did not have self control. The word of God was not important to him.

Jesus shows us He had self control. He did not give in to eating. The word of God was the most important to Him. Jesus did not give up His birthright and He is the firstborn of many brethren. He is the firstborn from the dead.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (Romans 8:29 NASB)

He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, (Colossians 1:18-19 NASB)

I am a born again believer because Jesus made the way for me. One day I will also rise from the dead because He did.

If you can not say that you are a born again believer I have good news for you. Jesus made the way. Ask Him to come into your heart repent of your sins.

This is just the beginning of your Christian walk. I encourage you to begin your Bible study in the New Testament. Pray and ask Jesus to direct you to a Bible Study group or a church.

Please send me an email if you made that decision or if you have questions.