A Challenge and Three Tests
Last week’s blog looked at the swing of events from the Yahoo! of Jesus’ baptism to the then of his time of testing in the desert, culminating in the duel with the devil. I used the space as a parallel to our life: We are right with God, but still often kicked around the playground by trials. Lessons in the flesh from Jesus’ experiences have a way of ricocheting relevantly in any of his follower’s mind and heart.
Let’s loop back for another look at the time after his baptism by John, when Jesus then immediately goes east into the wilderness for 40 days of testing and fasting in preparation for his three years of ministry. Matthew just gives the bare bones of explanation, likely coming from Jesus, since he was alone out in the puckerbrush.
Here’s how Matthew tells the story.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written, ‘Do not put the LORD your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this will I give you,” he said, “if you bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the LORD your God and serve him only.’”
Then the devil left him, and the angels came and attended him.
It seems to me that echoes of the three temptations Jesus faced can be seen in most every believer. Follow this for a bit and see if it rings true.
Before the devil’s overt temptations, he starts with an attack on Jesus’ identity. “If you are the Son of God….” I imagine a smirk and a questioning tone, he assaults Jesus’ nature. This is less a question than a challenge to who Jesus is at heart. Having lived a human life, and now in a fast-weakened state with his divinity abiding but hidden, the adversary pounces by throwing a rock of doubt at his center.
You and I hear the same when we are in the midst of trying times, or when we have messed up royally. A small voice questions whether or not we really are a child of God, truly forgiven, and left wondering if it is all true, regardless of how many times the Bible tells us it is. When we stumble…again…how could God forgive, accept, welcome, use, and do life with a schlub like me?
For Jesus, identity was a settled matter, and he never responded to the adversary. But for us when we doubt who we are in Christ, it is never bad to remind yourself of true truths. Turn again to Romans 5:1 where Paul thunders for us that “since we are justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Truth trumps attacks like these.
As for the tests, first, Jesus is tempted in his hunger to turn stones into bread, and after so long without food, it was no doubt a strong pull. This is the temptation to be self-sufficient. Meeting his own needs apart from the Father would be doable, but counter to how his life was oriented. He knew that God would sustain him and far beyond food, but to his core as he was fed by promise and hope provided by God.
You and I can be seduced into thinking that we are able to make our own way, feed ourselves, meet our own needs. We can and we do for many of the regular affairs of life, but when it comes to essentials or when our psychic hunger outstrips our ability, reliance on God reminds us that we are his and he will provide what we need. Jesus looks beyond just his need for physical food to that which will meet our deepest needs and that is from the Father, and so can we.
The next thing the tempter sets in front of Jesus is to be spectacular, to be noticed and able to wow the crowd. To superman from the top of the Temple and land without a scratch would certainly set him apart from any other person, and undoubtably increase his following. If Jesus wants to be extraordinary, here is the shortcut. However, Jesus recognizes the barbed hook in the bait and resists.
For us, the lure of celebrity, or just to be noticed exposes us as trying to be significant before our crowd. Social media “likes” fall into this category as does seeking the praise of others for using our gifts and abilities. While we all appreciate genuine feedback of encouraging words, when that becomes the desire of any action or the measure of its worth, then the motivation shifts from the good being done for others to the praise we receive. Not so good, and a hook many believers will swallow.
The last offer to Jesus would place all the world under his feet and in his control. This is the lure of power or influence. Satan’s bargain for all the power in the world is just that Jesus would need to give up his allegiance to his Father, and to all that he is. It’s not just a bad bargain but the worst betrayal he could have made. When God said to have “no other gods before me” this temptation cuts directly across that command, so Jesus slaps down any such suggestion.
And our world certainly elevates those with power and influence, but later Jesus would repeatedly declare that the greatest are the least and the servants, not the powerful master who will lead the parade but the ones who sweep up afterwards.
The question for us is what does all this look like in daily life? Here are some ideas:
To know who you are and whose you are frees one to live openly in God’s identity, not in whatever anyone says about you. So review the book often to know who you are in God’s eyes, not a wretch or a wreck but a child and an heir.
To trust that God will provide what you need when you need it empowers you to risk living a life of trust and peace, leading others to freedom. Lay out your needs before him and pay attention to how he meets them.
To experience release from the undertow of popular opinion allows both praise and criticism to be inputs, not determinants of worth or purpose, and opens up wide avenues for living. Look to see if unplugging from social media for a while might help, then do your good stuff without telling anyone about it.
To turn your back on power and walk as a servant in any situation, placing the needs of others ahead of your own, holds a different kind of power the world comes to love. Jump in to help and serve, especially toward the overlooked, marginalized, and diminished.
Luke’s account says that “When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.” For Jesus and for us, there will always be a next test time, but your God is faithful to give what is needed to face what is before you.
Thank you, Jesus, for going through your wilderness, showing us how to navigate ours. Thanks for countering the devil’s best shots with the words from God we can imitate. Thanks for living as a trailblazer we can confidently follow.
Music d’jour
How ‘bout bad jokes
"What's your father's occupation?" asked the school secretary on the first day of the new academic year.
"He's a magician, Ma'am" said the new boy.
"How interesting. What's his favorite trick?"
"He saws people in half."
"Gosh! Now, next question. Any brothers or sisters?"
"One half brother and two half sisters."
*****************
One day at home the phone rings and Joe answers it. On the other end is a confused woman who asks, "Who is this?"
"This is Joe. With whom did you wish to speak?"
After a pause the woman says, "Did you just say whom?"
"Yes, I did."
"Then you're definitely not my son!"