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Lent 6: 24th March:  Preparing Jesus: Temptation

 

This Lent we have been looking at the way in which Jesus was prepared for his ministry. We have seen how he was prepared from the beginning, from creation itself, also through prophecy and that the scriptures be fulfilled, through his Royal line tracing all the way back to King David, and through the early Jewish rituals and religion, that we have glimpses of in the Gospels. These concluded with his submission to a baptism by John that he did not need

Now we turn to the traditional Lenten model of Jesus’ preparation – his wilderness experience. A time of fasting and prayer. The forty days and nights also reflecting the 40 years of wandering that the rebellious Israelites did between escaping Egypt and entering the Promised Land. A rebellious generation that had to forgo the promise in favour of those who would come after them.

Lent is traditionally a time of repentance, of self-reflection and of fasting to reflect these two stories. From the Old Testament, it was the wilderness experience that led God’s people to be ready to step into the promises of God. From the New, Jesus models a time of fasting and abstinence, a time with the Father in isolation away from others. And a time of temptation.

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

At his baptism we hear the voice of God and see the Spirit descend. The very next thing is that same Spirit leads (or in other gospels propels) Jesus into wilderness. A place of simplicity, barrenness, openness and vulnerability. No other distractions. A place with little or no cover or shelter. A place with nowhere to hide.

How vulnerable, distracted, open and simple has your Lent been?

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

Its an interesting phrase. Almost a “derr!” moment. Anyone would be hungry after 40 days of fasting. And,  he was in need of food and sustenance. But was he also eagerly desiring and craving ardently something else, other than food? Was he now thoroughly ready for the ministry that was about to explode onto the scene? Ready to teach, preach, draw disciples to follow him, do miracles and make promises that would be fulfilled through his eventual death on a cross? Was he hungry for these things?

How hungry are you this Holy Week for the things of the Kingdom and for Jesus’ ministry to flourish?

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

The one who tests or tempts came to him. This is at the end of his time in the wilderness. Jesus is either at his most vulnerable (the tempter believes) or at his most hungry for the Kingdom? The tactics are to sow doubt , “If you are…”. The enemy asks us to question our identity, our status with God, our very selves. He asks us to prove it. Thereby, casting doubt on the faith on which our relationship with Him is built. “Give me proof you are the Son of God”, he says to Jesus. “Give me proof you are a child of God”, he says to us.

What doubts have been raised in your mind about your faith or your identity in Christ?

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God]

Jesus responded with God’s Word. Deuteronomy to be precise. He turned to the Bible he knew, what we call the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures. He rejected the tempter’s request to make bread from stones, which would of course be a miracle to prove his worth, to prove his divine purpose. He doesn’t have to prove it. So, he instructs from God’s Word, about God’s word. Live on God’s word, which is eternal, not on bread which is temporal.

When you have doubts, do you go to the Word? Do you base your faith and life on it alone?

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]


As even the demons knew who Jesus was and can call him Lord, so the devil can use scripture. Psalm 91:11-12 in enemy hands becomes an accusation, for he is the accuser. Yet another doubt cast, yet another specific test to prove his worth – “throw yourself down”. The accusation, that Jesus should prove his invincibility, because angels will save his mortal body from destruction , surely. Given his destiny to die on a cross, this is a vain claim. His mortal body will die and no angel will come and save him. The irony of course being that it is by that very death the enemy is defeated!

Do you ask questions where scripture is used? How discerning are you when you hear the Word quoted?

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]

Jesus countered by questioning the motivations and the actions of this,  his would be tormentor (Deuteronomy 6:16 this time). “What you are doing (ie putting God to the test) is forbidden. I will not answer you. Just stop it now!” Jesus is saying. “Oh, and by the way, as Son of God, and sent for God’s purposes, this…not cool!”

Do you search the whole of scripture to discern? Are you wary of texts out of context (equals a pretext…)?

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]

The final temptation is an offer way beyond the means of the offeror. We know how the story progresses, for Jesus can make the claim that “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18) But the tempter does not care about having title to that which he would promise to others, because it’s a con. It’s a treasure on earth, full of rust and metaphorical moths. Not his to give. But he doesn’t care, because “when he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44) and “ The thief (who) comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10)
Jesus’ final rebuke lays claim to the first and second commandments (Exodus 20) reiterated in Deuteronomy 6:13. One God. One Lord. Serve him alone. And that means you, Satan. Worship and live. Rebel and be destroyed. That is what has happened for us. The victory on the cross. The final destruction of all that is evil when Jesus returns. Eternal destruction in a lake of sulphur (Rev 20:10). Despite all this bravado, false promises, lies and deception, it ends badly for the evil  tempter and deceiver.

Have you turned your worship only to the one true God who is worthy of all praise?

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
James told the Jerusalem church, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Jesus as ever is our model. Resisting. Submitted to the Father. Speaking wisely God’s Word with authority. Seeing through the lies and deception and standing on truth.

As you enter Holy Week, with its eternal significance, will you receive it as eternal truth through which your eternal salvation is won? Will you stand firm against lies and deceptions that lead to doubts? Will you be open both to genuine questions of enquiry and the mystery of the gift of faith?

Will you allow yourself to be prepared for ministry, as Jesus was?

Doug

Lent 5: 17th March: Born a Jew