LENT REFLECTION ON THE TEMPTATIONS OF CHRIST
The writers of the synoptic Gospels (the Gospels which bear the names of Matthew, Mark and Luke) all tell us that, after his baptism, and as a prelude to the start of his public ministry, Jesus went out into the wilderness (he went on retreat) where, for 40 days and 40 nights – biblical shorthand for ‘a long time - he was tempted by the devil – in other words, his vocation was tested to the limit. Matthew and Luke present us with detailed visions of the temptations which Jesus suffered during that time, whereas Mark is brief and goes into no details.
These temptations may create for us somewhat picturesque physical image of the devil, dancing around from place to place, confronting Jesus at each and every turn. And, because of our bizarre mental pictures of this scene, we may ourselves be tempted; tempted to discard the whole account as full of unreality. That is to treat it mere legend or fairy-tale rather that what biblical scholars refer to as ‘myth’; a means of delivering profound truth in vivid imagery. We do not have to believe in a physical presence of the devil (whether clad in red tights and carrying pitchfork or not!) to understand the force of what Matthew and Luke are trying to tell us.
Jesus, at his Baptism, has heard the voice of God the Father, proclaiming him to be ‘My Beloved Son’. Marvellous news! Now, the devil opens with ‘IF you are the Son of God ………..’ In other words, ‘Let’s see how real that bond of Father and Son really is!’ All who are baptised are born into the family of the church, the body of Christ, where we are called to grow in faith and love and in the service of the ways of the Kingdom of truth.
Answering that call can be a profound challenge. Put in the words of Jesus it means taking up the cross, denying self and following his ways. It’s one thing to be called a child of God; it can be another thing entirely to live out the family life. Temptation is the ‘Let’s see….’ in our lives. These temptation stories are there to help us realise:
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First that Jesus, despite being Son of God, stands alongside us in our humanity and was subject to real trials and attractive temptations just as we are.
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Secondly they are there to help us understand how we can be equipped to resist when those trials come our way.
In three visionary experiences, Jesus is placed in three situations which, were they to come to pass, would, offer a quick fix, an easier path, but total rejection of his vocation, and Son no more. He asks himself ‘What if …?’ He answers with spiritual awareness and strength.
So, let us examine the temptations as they appear in the scriptures, and reflect on the truths which they seek to impart. I take them in the order in which they appear in Luke, chapter 4.