The temptations of Jesus

1st Sunday of Lent (A)
Mt. 4: 1-11
The Temptations of Jesus

To begin Lent with the story of the fall of our first parents who disobeyed the word of God by eating the forbidden fruit, should make us aware of our own sinfulness. Before Adam set out on the road of disobedience man and woman knew perfect happiness, and lived in harmony with God. In subtle form the serpent made his presence felt by tempting Adam and Eve to make themselves equal to God. The consequence of their action has cast a long shadow over humanity ever since and created a wall of division between God and ourselves. Their fall cheated humanity of its birthright and burdened it with a sinful heritage. It brought about the kind of world we know so well – a world broken by sin – and it does not take much soul-searching to find evidence of our own sinfulness. There is sin in our lives and will be until the end of our days. We could hardly be true to ourselves if we did not admit this. However, all is not lost because out of the desert comes Jesus to begin his mission of saving people.

Greater than anything lost by Adam’s disobedience is the new life won by the obedience of Christ who shared in our weakness so that we might live off his strength. The aimless wanderings of previous ages are given a definite direction in Jesus Christ who is a light shining in the darkness exposing sin for the evil that it is. The story of the temptation of Jesus, where he is enticed to misuse his God-given powers for selfish purposes is well known. When he was tired and hungry it would have been so easy to turn stones into bread and away hunger. Likewise, throwing himself off the parapet of the temple would have been a spectacular display of his closeness to God. To bow down and worship the tempter would drive a wedge of dis-obedience between the Father and himself. In permitting himself to experience temptation he sets the example we must all follow to when we come face to face with the human dilemma of choosing between good and evil. We draw comfort from the fact that the Savior knew what it felt like to be tempted and as a result can sympathize with us in our weakness.

Lent is a time for new life in Christ. By joining Jesus in the desert of our hearts we focus our attention upon the things which really matter in life. The voice of God is calling us home and we should make a conscious decision to serve the Lord and do what is pleasing to Him. What are our temptations and how do we face them in the day to day basis? Have a fruitful season of Lent.