Luke 4:1-13
4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 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. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”
5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 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. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’”
9 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, 10 for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you,’
11 and
‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Meditation
During the second week of Lent our focus is on temptation and Jesus’ experience in the wilderness in particular. This story is the foundation of the “forty days” of Lent as well as the giving-something-up practice (also known as fasting.) Jesus’ wilderness experience began on a spiritual high after being baptized by John, being recognized by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, and being confirmed by the voice of God: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (see Luke 3:21-22).
The devil tempts Jesus three times in this story and we can find various meanings in the temptations. Rather than dig out those deep theological meanings or spiritual responses in this story, let’s examine the clues to recognize when we are being tempted. Beginning with what seems like “an opportune time” to be tempted (vs. 13). It has been forty days since Jesus’ last meal and he famished, (vs. 2) before the temptations even begin. He has come down from that earlier high and is at a low point; vulnerable from hunger, loneliness, and possibly a bit discouraged. I know that when I’m hungry I get angry and am unable to focus even on simple tasks. It is pretty likely, then, that when we come down from a spiritual high; temptation will follow. It is also likely that temptation will come when we are parched and hungry in a lonely wilderness. These are opportune times to tempt someone.
The temptations themselves also hint at situations and outcomes that are fodder for temptation. The first temptation is about satisfying a basic need like food, clothing, or shelter—in the face of things it doesn’t look like a bad thing to satisfy the need, so it’s easy to justify. Satisfying the need and justifying the act are very subtle hooks to the temptation. It is when one selfishly uses gifts meant to build up God’s kingdom to accomplish the need that a situation is tempting. Remember, Jesus did make bread for crowds of people (see Matthew 14:13-21, 15:33-39, Mark 6:30-44, 8:1-10, Luke 9:12-17, and John 6:1-14).
The second temptation is about taking a short-cut to glory and authority, which looks like the exalting of oneself. Rather than following the path that God has ordained, an easier way is presented at the cost of idolatry. This one is easy to fall for because the temptation is the goal; however, to accomplish the task one must “sell his/her soul to the devil.” Once we place anything or anyone above God’s sovereignty for the sake of an end result, we are at risk of succumbing to temptation. Remember, Jesus is glorified and given authority in heaven and on earth (see Matthew 28:18, John 17:1-5).
The third temptation is about the devil daring Jesus to prove the scriptures. It is an if-then scenario—if you are the son of God; then nothing bad will happen to you—according to scripture (see Psalm 91:11-12). “I dare you” is always bad news and if someone dares you to do something—it is most definitely something you should avoid. Not to mention testing God is risky business since we cannot know God’s mind to the point of throwing ourselves off the pinnacle of the temple. What we do know, though, is God does send angels to minister to Jesus’ need—and to ours by extension of our faith in him (see Matthew 4:11 and Mark 1:12-13).
Temptation is a part of life and even more so when we walk with God. Jesus is our example of how to avoid falling for temptations and this story gives us clues to recognize when we are being tempted. Our protection is a strong, trusting relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ along with scriptures (especially the Psalms) that remind us to whom we belong and lots of prayer. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13, Luke 11:4b). Amen