Lent Day #21

This immediately follows the verses from yesterday, where Jesus was tempted eat rocks (after turning them into bread).

MATTHEW 4:5-7 (ESV)

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

"'He will command his angels concerning you,' and

"'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"

7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

THOUGHTS:

This is an odd temptation. The temptation yesterday made more sense, didn't it? Scripture tells us that Jesus had been fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. He was HUNGRY, and he was presented with an option to eat BIG, filling, loaves of bread. Cause and effect are pretty clear.

Today, Jesus sees himself on the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem, presented with the option to prove he is the "Son of God".

We still don't know if the devil is a literal being or figurative representation of what Jesus experienced, but either option seems reasonable. We also shouldn't be concerned with whether Jesus was historically sitting on top of a spire, or immersed in an illusion in the wilderness of the same thing. Either way, it is fair to say that Jesus was really faced with the temptation.

So what is the cause and effect? We are told Jesus is tempted to prove he is the Son of God by base-jumping with only angels as a parachute. Cause = jumping. Effect = proof he's God's son or death if he isn't. And who is supposed to be convinced by this proof?

God and the angels presumably know the answer already, as they are supposed to provide the proof.

The "devil" appears to already know who Jesus is...otherwise it wouldn't make much sense to tempt him in these ways. If I'm hungry and tempted to turn rocks into bread, I don't need to consider scripture -- I can dismiss the idea is unrealistic. I just can't do it -- I don't have the power! For the first temptation to be a temptation, both Jesus and the "devil" must believe he has the power to turn rocks into bread. Besides, if the proof is for the "devil" who whisked him to the pinnacle, that might be able to be easily obtained. If Jesus was physically moved here, why not physically move him over 20 feet and see what happens? (Granted, this doesn't work if the temptation is an illusion.)

So, to whom is Jesus supposed to be proving himself? Could it be that Jesus is struggling with his own identity? Is Jesus struggling with doubts about the path he's choosing? Is Jesus being tempted to prove to *himself* that he really is "the One" by testing God? Is Jesus wondering if being Messiah is really the right career for him?

Many of us still struggle with this today. Are we in the right major? Are we in the right jobs? Are we on the right path? Should we work our way up to the top of this ladder, or slide down and start seeking other options? Are my plans going to work?

I think maybe this is exactly what this temptation is. I know I'm not the only pint-sized punk who has ever had the arrogance to ask "am I the second coming?" (Yes, I've had friends admit they pondered the same question as a child.) From a child's point of view, it's not really all that different from when I wondered if I could be Superman or any other hero. I was certainly skeptical about it. Little tests at lifting heavy things, jumping up to see if I could fly, trying to turn water into juice or part a puddle. None of it worked and I concluded I was just the me I already knew, and that was OK too.

Maybe Jesus had his own moment of skepticism about his future. His response was to *trust* God. Maybe he is living out what he talks about later: "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34 NIV).

PRAYER:

God, help us to trust in you. Help us to face the worrisome decisions in life with faith, and lead us to make good decisions. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.

NOTES:
Reminder that we will gather this afternoon to watch the Simpsons, discuss, and play games. I'll bring the munchies too! Feel free to bring friends. JC meeting room B from 3pm-6pm. Get more info at http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran