1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “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.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “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]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Footnotes:
- Matthew 4:1 The Greek for tempted can also mean tested.
- Matthew 4:4 Deut. 8:3
- Matthew 4:6 Psalm 91:11,12
- Matthew 4:7 Deut. 6:16
- Matthew 4:10 Deut. 6:13
This is no happenstance. The Spirit - a gift from the Father at Jesus' baptism - is now leading him into the wilderness to encounter the tempter, AKA the devil. There is no question that Matthew, consistent with the other gospels' scenes of temptation, wants us to know that this encounter with the devil was planned, necessary to Jesus' spiritual development.
Now, you should have paused at that phrase "Jesus' spiritual development" because it implies a particular point of view regarding Jesus as savior and Christ (two different titles) which is a theological discussion. To be clear, I have no argument with Jesus as fully the savior and the Christ (anointed one - see his baptism) from the moment of his birth. However, I do believe we watch as Jesus becomes increasingly aware of what it will mean for him to faithfully follow in obedience as a Son of God.
As Jesus took on human form, he relinquished a portion of his power as God (note how Jesus will indicate that no one knows the hour that the end will come, only the Father in heaven knows). As Jesus lives out his calling, he comes to a better understanding, a more complete understanding of the details, the in's and out's, etc. Jesus intentionally obeys (note his request in the Garden of Gethsemane that this cup pass from him); he does the Father's will. But that doesn't always mean that he is aware of the implications of that faithfulness. Theologians would call mine a 'low Christology'; I honor the human limitations of Jesus more than some theologians.
So we begin with the temptations, a necessary starting point because this story is significantly about allegiance. To whom will Jesus give his allegiance? God or Satan? The divine Son of God is called to give allegiance only to God, and to put all things behind him in following that path of obedience. Satan is actually saying, SINCE you are the Son of God (not IF you are the Son of God). This is a special form of Greek that implies a positive answer to a question; it is not open ended.
The three temptations parallel the temptations of Israel in the wilderness. First is the manna episode. Second is the water which comes from the rock at Meribah. Third is the idolatry manifest in Exo 32.16. In each scenario, Jesus is tempted to decide for himself, that is, to choose for self-preservation rather than to trust in God's covenant relationship with him.
As I begin this week's sermon, several themes pop out at me.
Baby steps: Jesus is taking the first steps of his mission as Son of God. Finding his balance.
Fasting: a Lenten discipline. Jesus fasts for 40 days. This cleans out the old, makes room for the new in his world.
Stones: stones to bread. In the baptism scene, John the Baptist claims he could turn stones into Sons of Abraham; apparently being the Son of God is much harder. Later in Matthew, Jesus speaks of the stones of the temple when speaking of his mission.
Hunger and thirst after righteousness: in the next chapter of Matthew in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus speaks of those who hunger and thirst after righteousness - they will be filled.
In the next weeks of Lent we look at people who encounter Jesus in his ministry. Those texts are taken from the gospel of John. In those weeks we can see the response to Jesus' call to individuals. This week we are looking at Jesus alone. We are but spectators. How does this scene help us prepare for our journey of following and trusting?
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