Fear of Temptation Matthew4:1-11
Today’s reading is so very important to us. Let’s look at all of the parts, how it relates to the story of Jesus and how it relates to us. The first item that stands out to me is that the devil thought that he could tempt Jesus. Yes, Jesus was wholly human-and at the same time God. Maybe that’s why the devil thought there was a chance. Did Jesus allow Himself to be led into the wilderness because He knew?
And if the devil thinks he can tempt Jesus, what chance do I have. Do we have?
Do we think we are as strong as Jesus and we can’t be tempted?
And why go into the wilderness? For us is that the place where we can be isolated from God??
Next is the fasting. Forty days and forty nights! I can’t go without for a day, in fact modern guideline for fasting suggest eight hours of eating followed by 16 hours of not eating—drinking water and other zero-calorie beverages are allowed. It is doubtful that Jesus had access to Coke-Zero or even water when in the wilderness. No wonder afterwards he was famished. When we fast, as you may be planning to do for Lent, it is most essential, that you replace the item that you are giving up (fasting from) with something. Perhaps more time with God.
For us our time in the wilderness can be that time when the world separates us from God. Stresses at work, or at home, on the news, the list goes on and on. What is your wilderness?
The first temptation definitely relates to the 40 days of fasting. For us, is it related to that void we feel when we are (famished) spiritually? We have that void that we are starving to fill. When starving we will eat anything—whether it is good for us or not. Does our spiritual hunger make us more likely to succumb to self-gratification? When separated in the wilderness, it is harder to resist. Jesus had the scripture as his anchor. What is your anchor? His word, fellow believers, a foundation based on Christ?
As we move forward, note that the devil quotes scripture (Psalm 91:11). This is a red flag to all believers. Satan is challenging Jesus to trust his human side and not trust God. The Psalm that the devil “misquotes” delivers a powerful message of absolute confidence in God’s protection, portraying Him as a safe refuge, fortress, and shield against fear, dangers, and plagues. It promises that those who trust in and dwell with God will receive ultimate victory over evil. It is not a go-no-go gauge of God. This is a reminder to us that scripture is a place to discover God’s will which is found by study—not a place to find words that one uses to justify their will. The history of the world is full of events “justified” by mis-quotes of the Bible. Methodists are always reminded that the quadrilateral Scripture, Tradition,
Experience, and Reason” should be used for theological reflection.
The final test is a glaring lesson for all of us. The devil asks Jesus to turn from God and worship him—the world. And the world is sneaky like that. In our abundance we sometimes forget Him that makes all of this possible. Jesus’s response is our guide. When we “worship the Lord your God, and serve only him” we turn our eyes away from the temporary and our focus on Him becomes clearer even through the blur and confusion of the world.
Let us pray>
Lord, we know You allow temptation. we don’t ask to be delivered from temptation, we ask to be delivered from evil and for Your help in our daily battle to make good choices. Grant us the patience and focus to grow deeper in love with Your Word – the Holy Bible. Help us to know Your Word so well that we are able to quote the appropriate response in every situation. In Your son Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.
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