Gustave Dore (engraving)
I'm really tempted to write about Jesus' experience in the wilderness and the tests he had to undergo. One reason that it's appealing to me is that it was while reading through this passage a couple years ago, that the importance of the Old Testament really hit home. What we call the Old Testament was Jesus' text. He knew it thoroughly. It was the foundation for his teaching, and as we'll read in the next chapter, his understanding of its full meaning transcended everyone else's understanding. He came to fulfill its message.
But I'm not gonna go there. Instead, I just want to identify some of the elements of the big picture in this chapter, and then ask a couple of questions that may be useful as you choose what to chew on today after your reading. It helps to have this big picture in mind when you read what we usually call the "Sermon on the Mount." We'll be doing that over the next 3 days.
Here's what happened.
- John came proclaiming a message that God's kingdom was near.
- Jesus came to John and was baptized.
- God's Spirit landed on Jesus.
- That same Spirit then led Jesus into the wilderness for testing.
- Jesus completed the test.
- John was arrested.
- Jesus set up camp in Galilee.
- He began his ministry, preaching the message, "change your hearts and lives, God's kingdom is here."
- Jesus recruited some apprentices -- we call them disciples.
- Jesus continued to preach the good news that God's kingdom had finally come, while healing those who were brought to him.
- The news spread, and Jesus' reputation grew.
This chain of events seems natural, almost inevitable. It makes sense that Jesus didn't compete with John. It makes sense that Jesus would want students once his ministry started. But aren't the linkages interesting? It was John's arrest that cleared the way for Jesus' start. Or how about this? God poured out His Spirit in blessing Jesus as he was baptized, and then that Spirit took Jesus out into the wilderness for testing.
That's a good question to think about today. What is the significance of God's Spirit approving Jesus' baptism, and then immediately leading Jesus into the wilderness? Here are a few others:
What is the "temptation" in each of the tests Satan puts in front of Jesus?
What does it mean to be a "fisher of people?"
Both John and Jesus said "the kingdom of heaven is near." Is it no longer just near, but here? And what, exactly, is the significance of the kingdom of heaven being here?
And here's the question I'm going to chew on today. What does it mean to live by "every word that comes from the mouth of God"?
What struck you today? You can share in the comments.
4 comments:
Couldn't resist adding one more question to ponder.
Is Jesus' 40 days of fasting a part of his test, a pre-condition for his test, or preparation for his test?
Good opening line,"tempted." Thanks for including the artwork by Dore: Beautiful and stunning. That image will be with me all day today. Probably longer. Glad you put the "big picture" in as prep for the Sermon on the Mt. Words for the day in Greek, help a lot. Love the questions at the end.The one that strikes me the most right now is the same one you are going to be pondering today. Thanks for your good work. This is fun! PS -- In answer to your PS question -- I think all 3. P.
In answer to your original probing question, regarding "every word that comes from the mouth of God," the key for me is in the preceding word, "alone." "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Jesus wasn't badmouthing bread or any other food. He was just saying, "It isn't enough!" Jesus was smart enough to know that Satan wasn't looking out for his dietary needs. Satan wanted Jesus to prove something, and feeding himself or even the whole world for a day proved nothing! Obeying His Father and explaining it to Satan by quoting a statement from God's Word (Deut. 8:3) made it clear that Jesus was on to Satan's game. Satan was talking about meeting a need now! Jesus was talking meeting man's real need both now and forever!
...and regarding your "one more question," I look at Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness essentially as God's "Boot Camp" where afterwards Jesus emerged physically and spiritually prepared in every way and to every extreme for the challenges He would face in the next 3+ years of conflict against outright foes and faithless friends, up to and including the cross.
With the exception of the crucifixion, I'm unsure that there is any clearer example for the following quote:
who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Istead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave...He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death - even to death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-7a,8 HCSB
Think about 40 days without food...hungry, weak...He had every right to partake in anything offered. He Himself gave Satan the very authority by which the Devil was tempting Him. Kind of an interesting paradox, to say the least.
In answer to your question, I believe that the temptatrion was a pre-condition of His test, in that, had he succumbed to the frailty and needs of the flesh during His time in the desert, it would have been impossible for Him to be the perfect offering, the unblemished Lamb, required by God as the wages for sin.
Just my two cents. YBIC - Aaron
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