Temptation

After his baptism the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be, according to Matthew, “tempted by the devil.” Exposed to the elements through October and November, Jesus fasted 40 days. He no doubt spent the time praying and sorting out what he must do now that he had left the carpenter shop.

Later the devil came along to challenge Jesus on what he discovered during the 40-day fast, tempting him to circumvent what God had said. According to Matthew the devil came at the end of the fast, when Jesus was weakened from hunger and exposure to the elements.

The word tempt used by Matthew means to be trained or put to the test. Its Hebrew root is sometimes used to describe attempting to do something outside normal or recommended practice. But most often it refers to the act of testing people or things to determine something about them. It may be to verify claims, test their commitment, or challenge their character.

Tempting usually includes a specific method of testing validity, value, and usefulness of the person or thing tested. Most often this involves subjecting the subject to adverse conditions or hardships to see what emerging. Tempting in this way does not mean enticing one to do wrong.
When the adversary came to test Jesus he challenged him three ways. The first two appear to address how he will use the grace God gives him as Messiah, the third addresses how he will make choices.

“If you are the son of God,” the devil taunted, “command that these stones become bread.” At the end of a 40-day fast Jesus would be weak from hunger, and the prospect of having food without going for it would be tempting. It also would be an abuse of the grace God had given him. “We don’t live by bread alone,” Jesus replied, “but by God’s word.” God’s powerful word produces life within us.

“If you are the son of God,” the devil mocked, “jump off the precipice of the temple and let the angels save you. After all, the Scriptures say …” Again, an abuse of grace. Jesus was not here for show. “Don’t you know we aren’t supposed to tempt God?” Jesus said.

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16, which refers to the incident at Massah where the Israelites tempted God by complaining there was no water to drink and accusing Moses of leading them to the wilderness to die. Tempting God means questioning his word, disobeying his commands, and undermining his authority. We are to remain faithful in adversity and to keep quiet about the pain we experience. Job was tempted this way, and remained faithful through it all despite great personal loss, intense physical suffering, and persistent criticism of wife and friends. Jesus would not tempt God by jumping from the temple.

Another note. The first two temptations begin with a challenge of Jesus’ identity. “If you are the son of God ...” It seems to me the devil wanted to redefine Jesus’ ministry and redirect his efforts. Through the years I have experienced manipulation from people who wanted me to act a certain way for their benefit. “If you are a Christian you will ...” “A real pastor would ...” Jesus refused to be redirected by the manipulation.

Next the devil tested Jesus commitment to the process God had laid out. From a high mountain he said, “See all the kingdoms? They’ll all be yours if you bow down and worship me.” The devil was offering a short cut to the kingdom without the cross, and Jesus wasn’t buying.

The devil left, but we know he returned to make the same offer at least twice more. He spoke through Peter at Caesarea Philippi, and made Jesus’ last night on earth an agonizing ordeal in the garden, as high anxiety brought blood to the sweat glands. Jesus know there were no short cuts, no easy ways out. He must be faithful to God’s call.

This passage reminds me Jesus is not alone in being tested by God. Throughout our lives, especially if we have made a commitment to Jesus, our resolve will be tested again and again. We will enter periods of adversity and spiritual wilderness. We will suffer delays, setbacks, and defeats. We will be betrayed, abandoned,and disappointed. Through it all we must remain committed to following Jesus no matter what.

Tests also bring out what is within us. We harbor one or more of the seven deadly sins, manifested in many ways, and these may surface during our time of adversity. When a sponge is squeezed, as they say, what it has absorbed will come out.

The adversity trial also brings strength. Count it all joy, James says, when we fall into temptations, because the trying of our faith brings about patience. Luke points out Jesus left the wilderness after his time of testing “in the power of the Holy Spirit.”

We begin the season of Holy Lent with Jesus in the wilderness, challenged to decide on our own if we will for a season set aside something of pleasure or convenience to afflict the soul and test the commitment to following our Lord. It may be food or drink, it may be an activity or a pleasure, it may be a device or gadget. Whatever it is, set it aside for forty days – until Easter (Sundays are off-days), and see what God works into your life.

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP)

Matthew 4:1-11 (1 Lent A 2014)