Jesus and Temptation

For March 13, 2011

All Scriptures are from The Message

Immediately after being baptized by John, having God’s Spirit descend upon him, and hearing God’s approving words, Jesus begins preparation for facing temptation. His temptations are extreme examples of a reality of the human condition; that we all have weaknesses that we confront every day. This presentation of the scripture seems to say that the Test was something Jesus knew was coming and that he needed preparation to successfully face. Matthew writes:

Matthew 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."
4Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth."

• What leads Jesus into the wild for the test? Taking a test means that Jesus might not be successful; how does this fit into your picture, your understanding of who Jesus is? Can you conceive of him relenting to human temptation? What does this say about the power of temptation even during those times when we particularly feel the spirit’s presence?
• Knowing that he was to be tempted Jesus prepared by fasting for forty days. (This has obvious allusions to the 40 years that the nation of Israel spent in the wilderness.) Have you ever had something in your life that you wanted to overcome? How did you prepare yourself to challenge it? Did you have any resources or people who could help you? Did your faith have any place in your preparations?
• What turned out to be the result of his fasting? Did his spiritual preparation seem to increase or decrease his susceptibility to the first temptation? Is that what you would expect would come from a dedicated time of prayer and meditation? But what was the source of his ability to resist and where did it come from?
• What does the Devil want Jesus to use in order to have food to eat? What is the source of his ability to make stones into bread? Who would benefit if Jesus used his spiritual gifts in this way? Should the main focus of our spiritual life be inward to ourselves or outward to others?
• Does this temptation seem to be all of that big of a deal? The only outcome would have been satisfying Jesus’ hunger. What is the point for you in this story of the first temptation?

Matthew continues with the second temptation:

Matthew 4:5-6For 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."
7Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: "Don't you dare test the Lord your God."

• What would Jesus prove by leaping off the Temple and being caught by angels? Why might this be an attractive way to begin his active ministry? If it is a temptation it must have been a real possible alternative, why do you think that he made a different choice?
• What are some ways in which we are tempted to test God? Have you ever tried to bargain with God (If you will – I will), or challenged God to act in a manner you wanted? How did it work out?
• Do you believe that God tests our faith? According to the Gospels Jesus was led into a test by God’s Spirit, how does this fit with your understanding of being tested? How do you feel your faith gets tested? By everyday events? When you are successful in resisting temptation what has helped make it possible?

The Third Temptation

Matthew 4:8-9For 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."
10Jesus' 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."
11The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus' needs.
• There are many images of the Devil in the Bible, movies, and classical literature. What picture does this scripture give of the Devil and his powers? What is his domain and what does it seem he has the power to control? Is this a believable idea for you?
• What is your picture of the Devil? Is he an actual being, a personification of evil, does he have evil powers – what are your ideas? Do you think that evil is present as a force to be resisted in our world?
• It seems that Jesus is presented with three different methods for starting his work beginning with the ability to eliminate hunger. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of each method? Can you remember any elements of any of them that the Gospels tell us he in fact utilized? (Heal the sick, feed the multitudes, water to wine, etc.) Why was it OK to use them as he did?

Most Christians are now beginning the 40 days of Lenten preparation for Easter. Jesus prepared by going into the Wilderness and fasting, what are some practices you have observed in the past observed Lent and do you have any plans for this year?

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Our Closing Litany (From Psalm 32} speaks to our recourse when temptation prevails:

Count yourself lucky—
God holds nothing against you
and you're holding nothing back from him.

When I kept it all inside,
my bones turned to powder,
my words became daylong groans.

The pressure never let up;
all the juices of my life dried up.

Then I let it all out;
I said, "I'll make a clean breast of my failures to God."

Suddenly the pressure was gone—

my guilt dissolved,
my sin disappeared.

Hallelujah

Next Week’s Lectionary Scriptures: John 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, Psalm 121, Genesis 12:1-4a