Lent 4 2023

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:1-11 TEV

“Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted . . .”

Matthew 4:1

The early Church, struggling to understand who Jesus was, finally concluded he was “fully human, fully divine” and that view is expressed through the creeds that defined orthodox theology.  My experience with many Christians is that they tend to focus on the “divine” and ignore the significance of the “fully human”.  However, in this scripture from the Gospel of Matthew the author conveys one of the fundamental experiences of being human – temptation.

Since no one was in the wilderness with Jesus taking notes, the temptations described by Matthew are a brilliant exploration of the three essential temptations facing each of us in our spiritual journey.  And in his humanity Jesus confronts them and responds as we are called to respond as well.

First, while it may appear that the temptation Jesus faced was misuse of his miraculous powers, his response reveals quite a different temptation – one each of us faces constantly.  “Man cannot live on bread alone, but needs every word that God speaks.” V4:4  That is a temptation we face every day –being bombarded by the call to focus on and listen only to the demands of daily life.  We are exposed to a constant call of commercials, media, the internet, etc. to pay attention to everything but the “still small voice” that would reach and guide our souls.  Jesus knew this temptation as he was confronted continually by the demands of others, but took time alone each day to maintain his connection to God. 

Second, he is tempted to test God.  Each of us faces the same temptation when what we think God should be doing and what God is doing are not the same.  How often does God get blamed for things that are clearly the product of our own actions?  How often do we need to pause and revisit the concept that God is actively engaged in our world even when we don’t see it or understand it?  How often have we  heard the stories of someone who promised God “if only you will do X,  I’ll promise to do Y”.  To engage in a relationship with a “living God” is to trust the processes God is using.

Third, Jesus is tempted to think only of himself and what’s in his best interest.  Being essentially a narcissistic mammal, this is the natural tendency of all human beings.  Look at any infant’s behavior and you will see our original orientation to others and the world.  But fortunately we also have the capacity to chose not to stay focused on ourselves alone.  We have the ability to be compassionate and loving towards others, even those who are different from us in race, ethnicity, language, culture, social status, etc.  Like Jesus we can transcend our humanness and become an incarnation of the divine.

So today let us pause and consider where in our lives these temptations are still alive and well and once more face them with the faith that will lead us out of the wilderness of our surroundings.  Let us pray as Jesus taught us “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”