Matthew 4 - To be tempted there

Wilderness temptations are a crucible for Christ.

These are recorded in both Matthew and Luke (with an interesting difference of sequence), and immediately precede the beginning of Jesus's ministry. The story seems to link back to Edenic temptations and also prefigure aspects of the struggle in Gethsemane before the crucifixion. We ponder the ways in which these clearly labelled "temptations" match that term, and some subtle ways in which faithful Christians might be tempted.