What was God’s intent in creation? The man and woman were
given a task: to work the garden. We know God came and went. There is a
relationship, a covenant of love. There are expectations of obedience. We know
God wants what was best for His children. What tempted Eve?
The snake was an agent, casting doubt on God by its question, but the desire
was within her. The Hebrew makes it clear it is in the eyes, a hungry, even
lust filled looking at the forbidden tree. She exercises her freedom to
disobey. She chooses her own way rather than God’s.
Paul wrote in Romans that Adam is a type of Jesus. Adam and
Eve are most types of Israel as well. Like the first parents, Israel receives
God’s Torah. Like them, she fails to obey, lusting after other gods and
sinning. Like them she suffers exile from her land. Lest we fail to understand
the church (including you & I), also, follows the same road to perdition.
Sin is something bad, yet desirable. Eve wanted what looked
good to her. And we know much about a person based on what they are tempted by.
This Lent our focus is seeking
Jesus. We pray, study and work to know and love Jesus more. What insight
into His heart can we gain by reflecting on His temptations?
Obviously, Matthew draws a parallel between Jesus and Israel. Exodus
is the Biblical key as we read that Jesus is in the wilderness. Like Israel, He
is being tested. He is free to choose obedience or sin. I think that the
temptations were not just a brief conflict with Satan, but a description of
Jesus’ own inner battles throughout His ministry. These temptations are
particular to Him, and they help us understand Him. He is not tempted with
drinking, women or gambling!
·
The first temptation should be read on two levels.
The Biblical forty is symbolic and significant. Moses, Dtn 9:18 fasted forty
days from food and drink as he lay prostrate interceding for Israel after the
golden calf affair and Elijah, I Kings 19:8, fasts that long as he journeys to
Horeb, as he complained that he was “the only one left” and all Israel had
“forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars and killed your prophets.” [Both
of these figures appeared with Jesus last week at the Transfiguration and both
loom large as types]
·
Jesus fulfills their missions. However, more
significantly, Jesus is fulfilling the Scriptures here. In Dtn 8:2-3 we
read: Remember the long way that the Lord
your God has led you these forty
years in the wilderness, in
order to humble you, testing
you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His
commandments. He humbled you by
letting you hunger then by
feeding you with manna, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes
from the mouth of God. ….Matthew has not written this by accident
·
So Jesus is NOT like Eve, or Adam, in the garden
and He is NOT like Israel in the dessert. Jesus passed the test, He remained
faithful to God.
·
And what did this temptation look life for Jesus
in His ministry? I believe (may be wrong) that it was at the multiplication of
loaves to feed thousands. He was tempted by love—the desire to provide for
those people for whom He passionately cares. He is tempted to be a popular
savior and bread king; to feed the masses with loaves instead of His own flesh;
to give them what they want and not what they need.
·
In a similar way, the other two tests/temptations also
call Jesus to forsake God’s vision of Messiah (cross). Jumping off the Temple
means embrace the “magical, mystical miracle tour” (folks love the healings!)
and do amazing things (people love the show!) but not be the King God sent Him
to be.
·
The “lustful eyes” of the people do not want God,
they want bread and circuses! Jesus, out of love (like a misguided parent) is
tempted to give them what they desire not what God desires for them.
·
Jesus wanted worldly power for us! He wanted to
make the Kingdom benefits happen now. Satan played on that. Inviting Jesus to
forget the Father and embrace worldly power.Jesus’ miracles were a risk for
Him. His love for humanity and desire to help people were the good things that
Satan sought to twist and pervert. This temptation reappears later, when Jesus
tells the disciples that He must suffer and die; Peter says “no Lord!” and
Jesus says, “get behind me Satan.”
·
So I believe that Jesus was tempted. I imagine He
was vulnerable to the idea: “Can’t I do more good by miracles and compromise? How
much good could I do if I was in charge, a real king on earth making the world
a better place for everyone.” See how that idea, being a miracle worker and
earthly king looked appealing? How it was tempting? And do you understand what
the cost would have been—to worship satan; to be anti-chist and not Christ?
But, thanks be to God, Jesus chose the Father’s will. That is
who He is. You know Him better now. It is why we
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