The Temptations
Why would the gospel writers, who wanted so desperately to show the
glory of Jesus, put in what can only be described as his weaknesses? They must
have had a good reason. To find a possible answer we must let the past call to
us once more.
So, into the first century, to the edge of the River Jordan we head.
Jesus has been baptized by his cousin John, the strident, apocalyptic prophet. John
is soon to be arrested by Herod and then executed. John’s followers, as well as
his cousin Jesus are devastated by the news. Jesus is recorded as emotionally
describing John as the highest and the best, clearly feeling the loss of his
cousin.
As we tip toe behind Jesus, we can only guess that Jesus must be
feeling his own calling stirring and grabbing him by the front of his tunic,
dragging him forward. His world has turned upside down. He realizes he must be
the one to continue what his cousin began. Plus, John’s disciples are ready to
follow John’s cousin. Jesus seemed to them to be the obvious next prophet. This
is a common practice to pass priesthood down to the next descendent. Since
Jesus was visibly present as John preached, clearly regarded his cousin with
respect and love and was demonstrating his own eloquent teaching of the
scriptures, it was natural that John’s followers would begin following Jesus.
Get your cameras quietly ready. This is the moment we have been waiting
for. Jesus feels something that wells
upward from the deepest, most emotional center of his self. His own intentions
must be set. He will preach but he will go his own way. John’s followers will
tag along not yet understanding this will be a new drastically different direction.
Understandably Jesus needs space and the need for solitude and deep reflection.
Let us quietly follow him into the wilderness.
Historically, the idea of Jesus heading into a wilderness for 40 days
is one of those lovely fictives that bible writers enjoy adding, laced with the
poetic picture of the devil and angels. We can correctly assume, though, that
Jesus took time to prepare for his role and shared with his disciples the
struggle he did face in coming to grips with his newborn ministry.
The gospel writers made sure their readers got this message loud and
clear, right from the beginning: Jesus
struggled with this new role. What did God want him to do and say? How did God
want him to use the obvious metaphysical powers he already had manifested?
Could he use his brains, his energy, his unique take and understanding of
scripture, his spiritual radiance only for God’s work? Was he truly up to the
task? These are the types of questions that he clearly needed to contemplate
and on which to pray for guidance.
The gospels tell us that Jesus had a recurring and deep need to pray
for insight and strength. Again, and again, the writers show Jesus heading out
alone for long periods of time. In fact, the writers also show that the
disciples were rarely sensitive to Jesus’ needs. They intruded when they
shouldn’t, and then were not there when he asked them to be.
But, for now we leave Jesus pondering his future and struggling to
listen carefully to God’s divine guidance. His time had come.
Questions to Contemplate and Discuss
1. How would you have felt and responded to a
beloved family member’s death who was an influential guide for you?
2. Have you also needed to get away and be
left alone to gain a sense of a new direction for a life changing decision,
perhaps about schools, career, or divorce? If so, did the people around you understand
and support your need or get annoyed and bothersome?
3. If your decision was radically different
from what your loved ones wanted and expected, how did they react and how did
you?
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