Jesus Overcomes Temptation

God Created the World

God Creates, Humans Sin

Matthew4:1-11 The Message

The Test

4 1-3 Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: “Since you are God’s Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.”
4 Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”
5-6 For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, “Since you are God’s Son, jump.” The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: “He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone.”
7 Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: “Don’t you dare test the Lord your God.”
8-9 For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, “They’re yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they’re yours.”
10 Jesus’ refusal was curt: “Beat it, Satan!” He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”
11 The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus’ needs.

For Reflection

In these passages, Evil is trying to seduce Christ by appealing to the fundamental sin, idolatry. Why do I say that the basis of sin is idolatry? In response to Satan's taunts, Jesus responds, “Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.” The power we are given is not to be used for selfish ends.  Otherwise, we are worshiping ourselves, not God.

Our creative power is to be used to the glory of God, in service to each other. Our capacity to choose is not to be used to elevate our stature with others or to fill our souls only with the desires of the flesh. God's intention for humankind is to live in harmony with God's creation, in communion with our creator and each other.

Pray

Pray so that you can find a beautiful, melodious, life in harmony with the Creation. Pray and be at rest, celebrating your life in Christ and the lives of others. 


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