Part 1, Who He Was: Chapter 4, Temptation: Showdown in the Desert Summary and Analysis

In the fourth chapter of the Book of Matthew in the Bible, Matthew records a period in Jesus' life before Jesus begins preaching and calling disciples when He is tempted by the devil. According to the Bible, Jesus is lead by the Holy Spirit into the desert where He fasts for 40 days and 40 nights before His temptation. In his fourth chapter, Yancey discusses the importance of this meeting with Satan.

First, Yancey points out that this encounter with Satan is Jesus' chance to take the "easy way out." Yancey says these tests are perhaps the most important character test Jesus faces in His lifetime. Yancey also notes that since there is no one else present at the temptations except for Jesus and the...