The temptation of Jesus
Luke 4:1–13
By his baptism, Jesus is commissioned for his life’s work. Immediately, he is subjected to fierce temptation by the devil. He spends forty days and nights in the desert—working out with prayer and fasting how he shall rightly use his power and status.
The devil tries to undermine Jesus’ sense of being God’s Son. He tempts him to use his power to turn stones to bread and feed himself. He tempts him to build a world empire—taking all the power of Caesar but using it for God. To do this would entail an endless series of compromises with evil. He tempts him to throw himself from the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem, to land dramatically in the court of the Gentiles—always assuming that God’s angels will catch him!
Each of these temptations attacks Jesus at one of his strong points—his power to work miracles, his longing to change the world and his need to spread his message. But, in each case, Jesus answers Satan with words of scripture. He draws on the hard-won lessons that the Israelites learned in their wilderness years with Moses.
If Jesus is to fulfil the calling of Israel, he must worship God alone (Deuteronomy 6:13). He must rely on God’s word for his life, just as he relies on bread for his body (Deuteronomy 8:3). There is to be no complaining, no cheating and no turning back (Deuteronomy 6:16).
Jesus wins this first struggle with the devil, but Satan will return.
These temptations are crucial for Jesus. In the months that follow, he will feed a multitude, refuse to become king and resist the taunts to escape from the cross. These are the very choices he made in the desert.
Knowles, Andrew. The Bible Guide. 1st Augsburg books ed. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001. Print.
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