The book paints a picture of Jesus, creator, sustainer, savior, and redeemer of all. Though the work of salvation had not yet been completed in Matthew 4, the text does detail the initiation of Jesus’ work and ministry which was to ultimately lead to the cross. Matthew 4 ushers in God’s kingdom through a new covenant. There is a picture of inaugurated eschatology that is being presented here. Stephen Wellum and Peter Gentry outline this idea in their work God’s Kingdom through God’s Covenant,
From an Old Testament perspective there is a distinction between “this present age” – an age characterized by sin, death, and opposition to god as represented by earthly kingdoms – and “the age to come” – an age in which the covenant Lord will come to rescue his people through his Messiah and to usher in his kingdom, i.e. his saving rule and reign… “This present age” ends with the coming of the Messiah, and with his arrival dawns the “age to