The Struggle of Temptation

Judaean Desert

The Judaean Desert is a formidable region. It is situated on the west side of the Jordan River across from Jerusalem. It is known for its rugged landscape which has provide refuge for rebels and zealots alike. The areas rainfall varies from 4in in the dryer parts to 20in per year in the mountains. Compare that to the 33 in of annual rainfall we usually receive and you will understand why the area is so dry and desolate.

Throughout Israel’s history the desert has played and important role. David sought refuge from King Saul in this region. About 150 years before Jesus the Maccabees led a revolt against one of the Greek rulers who followed Alexander the Great. They were the first build a fortress at Masada that was later used as the last stand for the Jewish rebels against the Roman Army. The Dead Sea scrolls were hidden in the caves throughout the area after the Jerusalem was sacked.

The Syrian Brown Bear, the Asiatic cheetah and lion, and the Arabian leopard would have been the wild beasts mentioned in Mark’s account of the temptation story. Jesus would not be both divine and human if these animals did not send quivers of fear down his spine. In the darkness he would be blind and defenseless to an attack.

For forty days Jesus faced the threat of wild beasts as he struggled with the pains from a lack of food and water. He sat or walked in silence, without any companionship. I wonder if the appearance of the tempter and their conversation was somewhat a relief. Under such extreme conditions Jesus’ spiritual and natural defenses were severely tested. Could they withstand the tempting assault by the tempter.

This is the first lesson that I glean from this story. The devil often waits till our guard is down and we are alone to assault us. The inappropriate thoughts that your have during a worship service have little chance of influencing you to commit some transgression. You are in a safe environment with friends. Your focus is upon God and the Spirit sustains you. But then you drive home and you are alone. A thousands ideas fill your thoughts. Now you are more susceptible to telling that annoying, complaining neighbor something you will later regret. it is also easier to forget about that relative or friend who is hurting and needs a phone or a visit. You have a thousand good excuses.

The tempter cleverly chooses a different set of tactics than the ones he used with the First Man and the First Woman. Then he appealed to the ego. Eat this fruit and you will see a greater knowledge, you will gain greater wisdom, you will be like God.

With Jesus the tempter appeals to his humanity.

Can you be fully human?

Can you abdicate your divine power?

Can you exercise restraint?

Can you work in obscurity?

Can you bear the vulnerability of what it means to be weak and mortal and human?

Debbie Thomas

We have now arrived at the second lesson in our story: the devil tempts Jesus not to do something bad but to do something good for the wrong reason. By resisting Jesus identifies with his humanity. He refuses to use his power for his own person satisfaction. The first temptation implies that the Son of God should never be hungry. Unmet needs are an aberration in the world of the evil one. Will Jesus wait? Will Jesus cheat his way to satisfaction?

Along the way, the devil encourages Jesus to disrespect and manipulate creation for his own satisfaction.  To turn what is not meant to be eaten — a stone — into an object he can exploit. As if the stone has no intrinsic value, beauty, or goodness, apart from Jesus’s ability to possess and consume it.

Hunger, loneliness, or homelessness are not by themselves virtues. However, God may use one or more of them to develop virtues within us. Can I love and serve God even when my physical and/or emotional needs have not been met? Can I love when I am hungry? Can I serve when I am thirsty? Can I trust God to supple my needs in his timetable?

The second temptation focuses on Jesus’ vulnerability. If God really cares about me, he will protect me when I need him the most? We expect God to keep us safe from physical harm. We expect him to grab the steering wheel of the drunk driver before he crosses the yellow line infront of a friend’s daughter. Why can’t he send one of those angels to protect me from harm?

This is an enticing lie but it denies the reality of a broke world. It says that if we believe hard enough God will erect an impenetrable shield around us. Won’t God arrive at just the right moment and save us. Doesn’t he calm the storm? Give sight to the blind? However, this world is not safe. The sin that dwells in the heart of each person creates the potential for harm. Also, by his own example, Jesus suffered the pain of the Cross. God did not rescue him. God allowed the nails to inflict their sharp pain. He allowed the wood to bury splinters into the back of Jesus. And then God turned his back on his son. Jesus felt abandon by the one person who he thought loved him.

God does not rescue us from pain but sends us into a hurting world to share its pain.

The third temptation is a blatant appeal to Jesus’ ego. Power, fame and fortune will be all yours Jesus, just bow down and worship me. Your kingdom shall have no end. You need not die in some conquered city. You need not labor in obscurity.

To be God’s child is to be center stage: visible, applauded, admired, and envied.  A God who really loves us will never “abandon” us to a modest life, lived in what the world considers insignificance.

Church history is littered with stories of men who succumb to this temptation. They convinced themselves that they were doing God’s bidding by building a grand and glorious church in God’s name. But they were only building their own name. They put themselves at the center of their lives. Whenever such a kingdom was built, the testimony of the church suffered.

Some of you have chosen a Lentan fast to highlight this season. If you have do not take it lightly. It is a serious step. You are saying to God that you want to be test.

Are you willing to wait or do you want everything now?

Are you willing to serve in world filled with unlimited negative consequences? Are you willing to serve in suffering?

Are you willing to serve even when no one says thank you or honors you?