One can never talk or speak enough of Jesus. There is just so much to know about Him that we will never ever get to know Jesus fully in one’s lifetime. For the past eight Sundays, we see Jesus as the one revealed/manifested to be the Saviour of the world. Twice, a voice from heaven declared – “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you, I am well pleased” at his baptism and the event of the Mount of Transfiguration. Clearly, it was an affirmation that came at critical points – one as Jesus set out to be tempted in the wilderness and the other as he set out on a journey that will lead to his crucifixion in Jerusalem.

Our Gospel reading today, allows us to have a peek into the temptation of Jesus. This is a familiar story for most who have had years in the church. On Ash Wednesday, we observe the call for a fasting period in recognition of what Jesus went through. It is a period where we learn to give up on certain creature comforts to draw closer to God. All good, except that I rather find it a distraction to fully understand Jesus’ experience of being tempted by the devil. We may remember that Jesus was tempted three times during the period. Some may vaguely remember what the temptations were. However, how does it relate to our everyday living?

We are told that Jesus was driven into the wilderness straight after his baptism. The words spoken from heaven gave the idea that Jesus had earned his Father’s affirmation somehow – perhaps through obedience. The words of affirmation thus launched Jesus to face the devil’s beguiling deception.

We are not to imagine that the temptations were in any way “light”. Hebrews reminds us that Jesus was tempted in every way just as we are. Rather than light, Jesus suffered intensely, coupled with the fact that he fasted for forty nights and days. This is not about giving up chocolate or ice cream. There were real hunger pangs to be experienced. Current-day refugees, children, and adults would know what this feels like. For many of us here, we cannot even imagine what it is like.

We are informed that the first testing came at the end of his fast. In the wilderness, one would find rocks and stones aplenty. In that weakened state, surely Jesus could change some into bread. Recognizing famine on a global scale today, surely turning stone into bread is sorely needed to feed the hungry masses. Is this wrong to take a shortcut to relieve world hunger? That Jesus would feed the hungry masses; I have no doubt for he has on occasions provided food to the thousands. To do so for him alone is a different matter. The temptation is about using power for one’s own end, which will constitute an “abuse” of power and privilege. A lesser person will find justification to use power for oneself.

“One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” The second part of the verse quoted is often neglected; it is important for us to remember that Jesus never neglected it. It seems to me that Jesus remembered the scriptures. Do we?

The second temptation is one that I would hope all politicians remember and practice. There seems to be a culture where authority is used to feed one’s pride, arrogance, greed, and more power. How do we justify ourselves in a world where young people are shot, starved, made sick through water contamination, or drowned at seas while escaping from bombing and destruction?

Jesus’ reply takes us back to the command “to worship the one, God.” Is it possible to get all world leaders to contemplate the words, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”?

All through his life and mission on earth, Jesus deferred to His Father. He tells those who called him good, “No one is good but the Father.”

Does the devil use the Bible? The third temptation will provide an answer to this question. He has no shame in using scriptures for one’s own profit. To suggest to Jesus, that he too could use his position in such a manner as to test God’s protection for one’s safety is not beyond his beguiling ways. Does Jesus fall for it? Jesus is adamant on this: You shall not put your God to the test.

Does the devil leave Jesus completely? “Until an opportune time,” Luke writes. Jesus would be tempted again. We see Peter attempting to dissuade Jesus from the path that will lead to his death. To which, Jesus’ offered the rebuke, “Get behind me, Satan.”

May this season of Lent bring us to reflect on our path in life as to what is essential for the journey.There is so much in our world that will lead us to take an easier path. Not for Jesus even at the point of starvation. The world tells us to tear each other down to get to the top. For Jesus, to have his Father’s affirmation is far better. When we are tempted to give up and blame God for every ill, Jesus’ response reveals the devil’s deception for what it is.

It is not giving up chocolate or ice cream. It is about following Jesus all the way.

Blessings

Chee

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