The Temptations of Jesus: Part One

I am still meditating on the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Luke 4:3-13). I think the various tests put before Jesus are the very same ones that Satan tries to use on us today. And, obviously, Jesus' answers show us how we can resist Satan's attempts to derail us.

The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Satan begins by attacking Jesus' identity, "If you are the Son of God." Satan always wants to plant a seed of doubt into our minds. He never wants us to understand who we are because we are beloved children of God. We are those who delight the Father's heart and those whom He has chosen to rule over creation. Satan is terribly envious of the glory bestowed on us and he seeks to steal and destroy it as much as he can, his main tool is doubt.

Satan wants us to believe that we are nothing special, that the promises of Scripture which give us our identity are lies. I know, personally, that Satan tries to question my gifts and calling to be a pastor. He wants me to believe that I am unworthy of this calling and that because of my doubts and weak faith I am disqualified and unfit for service in God's Kingdom. Did you know that the best lie is always a half-truth? The Truth be told, I am unworthy to be a shepherd of God's people, but that does not revoke the call of God on my life. It is He who lives in me and who equips me for every good work. It is my weakness that glorifies His strength and ability.

The second half of the first temptation "turn this stone to bread," is especially devious. In one statement Satan questions God's ability to provide and provokes Jesus to use his power for his own comfort, pleasure and gain. This is not how Jesus uses power. The power God gives us is always to serve, always to advance the Kingdom and give light to those in darkness. We are never called to use God's gifts for our own advancement or profit, but rather for the edification of the Church and the glory of God.

Jesus, of course, knew this and he didn't rise to the challenge. He reminded Satan that there is more to life than food and that God's Word is more certain than our own subjective feelings. The truth that Jesus was God's Son was not invalid because Jesus was going through a difficult time and was hungry, weak and tired. He rested surely on God's Word.

And this is what we can be sure of, that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised again to Glory. If we share in his sufferings and in a death like his, we will surely share in a resurrection like his. Though we may face trials and tribulations of many kinds, though we may doubt and question in times of hardship and trouble, we rest secure in the words of Jesus, "Behold! I am with you surely, even to the end of the age." We are never left alone, never abandoned. God's Word is everlasting and True. We are always His children, always His Beloved - wether we feel that way or not. Amen, let it indeed be so!