A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

JESUS WAS HUNGRY      

Matthew 4:2 “After fasting forty days and forty nights, He (Jesus) was hungry.” 

The Children of Israel were led by Moses at God’s command from Egypt to the promised land. They, in spite of knowing God was with them, for forty years grumbled and complained to Him, often over the issue of food or water. At one point in their complaining they said to Moses, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” (Exodus 16:3) Countless times they complained to Moses about the lack of food and water or the quality thereof.   

For forty days and nights, Jesus had chosen to fast while in the desert. Matthew wrote, “After fasting forty days and forty nights, He (Jesus) was hungry.” (Matthew 4:2) Jesus was a true human being. He had the same needs as any other human. He was hungry.  

To Israel, God said through Moses regarding their hunger and lack of trust in God, “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors 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.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)   

Remember, Jesus came into the world to take your place under God’s law. He had the same needs as you. Daily He was in need of food and water, shelter and the like. He too was challenged by His daily physical need’s verses, living His daily life with faithful dependance upon His heavenly Father for all His bodily needs. In tomorrow’s devotion you will see how Satan tried to use Jesus’ humanity to tempt Him to sin . . .  

Prayer: Lord God, heavenly Father, there are times when I also, like the Children of Israel fail to trust you for my “daily bread.” Cause me to recognize my lack of trust in You, repent of this sin and receive Your forgiveness for Jesus’ sake. Amen. 

Sing to the Lord of the harvest, Sing songs of love and praise;  
With joyful hearts and voices Your alleluias raise.  
By Him the rolling seasons In fruitful order move;  
Sing to the Lord of harvest A joyous song of love. 

God makes the clouds rain goodness, The deserts bloom and spring,  
The hills leap up in gladness, The valleys laugh and sing.  
God fills them with His fullness, All things with large increase;  
He crowns the year with blessing, With plenty and with peace. 

Bring to this sacred altar The gifts His goodness gave,  
The golden sheaves of harvest, The souls Christ died to save.  
Your hearts lay down before Him When at His fee you fall,  
And with your lives adore Him Who gave His life for all.  (LSB 893)