Day Twenty-Four
Today we begin our reflection by reading the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, the 40 days upon which the season of Lent are modeled:
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’
and
‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:1-13, NRSV)
What an extraordinary gift, to have been given details about how Jesus was tempted. Jesus, having been alone in the wilderness, must have later disclosed to at least one of his disciples the ways in which he was tested. Such a disclosure is an intimate one and gives us a beautiful picture of Jesus entering into the fullness of our humanity. Make no mistake: this was a wrestling match in the desert as Jesus fought the temptations to turn aside from God as his ultimate good and to choose instead the gods of self-sufficiency, wealth, and honor. In fact, the writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus suffered when tempted. “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18, NIV)
Is that your picture of Jesus in the desert, that the temptation narratives are stories not only about his victory but about his suffering?
He was tempted by the devil.
Let those words find a deep resting place within you. Jesus heard the enemy’s insinuations about God not being trustworthy. He heard the appeal to pursue his own comfort and security. He heard the promises of power and dominion, heard the enticement to turn aside from wholehearted worship of God. These were temptations designed to lure the Son of God away from single-minded obedience to the Father.
Temptation, by its very definition, must carry with it the power to hook us, to entice us. Put a plate of succulent seafood in front of me when I’m fasting, and I’m not tempted by it. I don’t like seafood. But set before me a plate of steaming hot bread fresh from the oven, and the battle is on.
Jesus wasn’t merely swatting flies in the desert. The tempter knew what had the potential to hook God’s beloved and assaulted him not just for a fleeting moment, Luke tells us, but for forty days. And Jesus’ battle with temptation didn’t end there in the wilderness. The tempter, having been defeated, withdrew until another opportune time when he could try to turn Jesus aside from the way of the cross, away from the path of humiliation and suffering. “This must never happen to you!” Peter protested when Jesus predicted his suffering and death. And in those words from his friend, Jesus recognized again the snare of the devil. Jesus was practiced in discerning the stumbling blocks the enemy was prone to place in front of him.
Are we?
During this season of Lent, keep company with Jesus in the desert. Let him mentor you as he discerns his temptations and overcomes each one through the power of the Spirit and the truth of God’s Word. Take comfort in the fact that Jesus was tempted. And because he was tempted, he is able to help you when you are.
Lord, who throughout these forty days
For us did fast and pray,
Teach us with you to mourn our sins,
And close by You to stay.
As You with Satan did contend
And did the vict'ry win,
O give us strength in You to fight,
In You to conquer sin.
Read the rest of the lyrics here.
Questions for Reflection:
1) What temptations routinely assault you? What are the lures that have the power to turn you aside from wholehearted devotion to God?
2) Do you notice any particular theme or pattern to the temptations you find yourself regularly dealing with? Bring that theme or pattern prayerfully before God, asking if there are deeper roots that need healing and forgiveness.
3) Imagine yourself in the desert with Jesus. What do you notice about the way he battles temptation? Offer what you notice to God in prayer.
4) Do you have trustworthy companions to whom you can confess the ways in which you are tempted, fellow travelers who can give you the gift of prayer? If not, ask God to bring to mind someone who might become that sort of faithful friend to you.
5) Meditate on these words from the Apostle Paul:
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:13-14, ESV).
What are the ways of escape that God is providing you so that temptation doesn’t become sin? How are you relying upon God for deliverance? Let the truth of God’s faithfulness and provision lead you into prayer and grateful worship.