The temptations of Jesus

¶ … Temptations of Jesus in the desert, as described by the gospels, can be viewed from the human and divine perspective. From the divine perspective, Christ was tempted to confirm his perfect obedience to God, and his willingness to follow the plan derived from the beginning of the world. From the human perspective, the temptations are proof that Christ was both human and divine. Furthermore it serves as an inspiration for Christians to withstand temptation in the way that Christ did. The temptations can also be seen within the context of the world in which it was written, as well as from the perspective of Christianity today. Indeed, those who believe in Christ today still derive comfort from the entire gospel, and particularly from the temptations.

The imagery of the desert is interpreted in several ways (1). It could for example signify loneliness, remoteness, or a place where devils reside. In the context of Christ's ministry, the desert was usually where Jesus went to be alone and to pray. It is then here that Satan brought three temptations to Christ. These addressed three particular areas of human and spiritual life. Satan focused on the weakness of Christ's human nature, while Jesus on the other hand used the inner spiritual strength given by God to overcome the temptations.

In the context of Christ's world, it was common religious practice, especially for spiritual leaders, to separate themselves from the world to focus on the spiritual. Fasting was also common religious practice. While fasting and separation for spiritual purposes still occur in today's world, it is far less common than it was in the world of Christ. Indeed, the nature of society and life in the current wold is such that a complete separation or a session of fasting is very difficult unless done within the context of a particular religious setting. Thus, while fasting and religious separation were common practices during the time in which Christ was on earth, the lessons of the temptations remain relevant to Christians today. These lessons may even be 1. Ernest Best. The Temptation & The Passion. 2nd Edition. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1990.

A more relevant today, as there are many more distractions in terms of luxury and earthly pleasures than was the case 2,000 years ago.

After his 40-day period of fasting in the desert, Jesus was subjected to three temptations.

The first focused on his physical needs:

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread" (Matthew 4:1-3).(2)

The devil is absolutely in touch with Jesus' physical needs and knows where he is weakest at that point. The temptation is also leveled at the dual level of Christ's nature as the Son of God. As such, he has the divine means available to satisfy his human hunger (2). Christ however understands the problematic nature of obeying Satan. This would mean no longer obeying God or his plan. Jesus therefore, despite his ability chooses what he sees as the right path at the time. He chooses to obey God instead of Satan and thus continues on the perfectly righteous path to the cross. In this he guides his followers towards the correct course of action in temptation.

While Christ therefore had the unique advantage of being divine, he also understands the predicament of humanity. His physical, human body was hungry and he had the means at his disposal to satisfy that hunger. Nonetheless, his spiritual awareness overrides his human nature and he is able to choose the correct path.

In the same way Christians today are required to make choices on the grounds of their spiritual rather than their human nature. Christ's refusal to try and prove to the devil his nature as the Son of God is meant to be reflected in the spiritual nature of the human children of God. It

Quotations from the Bible are from the King James Version

Frank Stigall. "The Three Temptations of Jesus." In The Law is Not of Faith. Christ-Life Fellowship, 1992.

A is unnecessary to prove anything as long as there is the assurance of Christ's redemption. This redemption is furthermore also to inspire Christians not to succumb to physical temptation, even if the means of satisfaction are readily at hand.

Jesus' answer to the devil at this point is poignant: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

This is of particular significance in spirituality. Almost all forms of spirituality entail some sort of physical sacrifice to the spiritual ideal. Christ's spiritual ideal was to cleanse his body through fasting in order to come closer to God. The devil attempts to destroy this union through temptation. Christ however uses the security of his spiritual nature to overcome such temptation and to move closer still to his union with God (3).

The lesson for Christians here is not to literally fast 40 days, but rather to understand that union with God is important above all desires of the flesh. Actions should be taken to cultivate this union. Human beings should also understand the vitality to be gained from a relationship with God. It is therefore necessary for the very life force of the Christian to take time for prayer and bible study in order to achieve closer unity with God.

For the second temptation, the devil tempts Christ to display his religious power:

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee..."

This temptation directly addresses the religious leadership and miraculous abilities of Christ. Jesus uses these later during his ministry in order to advance the relationship his followers

4. Stigall cultivate with God. The first temptation focused on the physical, whereas this one is focused more upon the purely spiritual. Jesus is tempted to show the devil something miraculous purely for its own sake. Christ however recognizes that miracles are to be used only when they further the message and glory of God. Succumbing to Satan's request in this instance would give power and glory to Jesus, but not to God.

The message inherent in this temptation is that God's power, while it can accomplish anything, is not to be used for frivolous purposes such as personal gain or its entertainment value. Many religious leaders today fall into this trap. It is easy to entertain people with special effects or the correct words. Without touching their hearts however, such religious services remain no more than empty entertainment filled with exciting words and the occasional parlor trick. This is reminiscent of Paul's treatise on love - if anything is not based upon the true love found in Christ, it is devoid of meaning.

For today's Christian this would mean an exercise in faith. Of course the world has made staggering developments in terms of technology and science. Human beings can do almost anything for themselves, and our advancements have become little short of miraculous. It is difficult to imagine Jesus and his miracles in our world. Nonetheless, Christians are required to have faith in him rather than in the temptation to demand spectacular miracles. The basis of faith should be trust rather than miracles. If truly spectacular miracles do occur, these should be seen to strengthen the faith that is already there. If faith rests only upon what can be seen it is no longer faith at all. This can be paralleled with Thomas and his inability to believe that Christ has risen before seeing him in the flesh. Seeing in Christianity is the result of believing, rather than the other way around.

Whereas the first two temptations focused on Christ's body and his personal glory, the third temptation was a direct attack on his soul. Christ was tempted to give up the entire purpose of his existence, including the death that would be the culminating point of his earthly ministry:

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me" (Matthew 4:8-9).

Christ's path of self-denial and eventual death before the glorifying resurrection is an impossibly difficult path. This difficulty is evident during the episode in the Garden of Gethsemane. Christ himself prays to be delivered from the painful death awaiting him. Nonetheless, he does not succumb to the devil's temptation for possessions and earthly kingdoms in exchange for the heavenly kingdom. In his ultimate sacrifice, and his ultimate refusal of temptation, Christ provides his followers with the cumulative example of what it is to follow Christ. He follows the voice of the father rather than the voice of the devil. On the strength of resisting the first two temptations, there is truly only one response to this final and most extreme temptation. Jesus sends Satan away.

There are many similar temptations for Today's Christian. The world and its glory are inviting. Why not use the means available to satisfy every physical and emotional need? The problem with this is that it results in spiritual poverty. No earthly glory or possession can replace the words of God mentioned by Christ in his refusal of the first temptation. Life is about more than personal and material gain. Life is about growing spiritually and preparing for the final glory to be found in eternal life with Christ.