The wilderness is where God forms a people and exposes what they trust.
Israel tested God forty years. Jesus is tested forty days. He answers with Deuteronomy and refuses to turn stones, spectacle, or empire into bread.
Matthew 4 is Israel-in-one-Man passing the probation the nation failed. From there He calls a new Israel around Himself.
The apostolic years function as a wilderness crossing toward rest. The old camp falls behind when the city that refused the Son falls.
The wilderness was a corridor. The New Creation is the land of rest on the other side.