Sunday 9 March 2025
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." (v. 3)
Background
Many of us have experienced an anxious moment when we’ve made a wrong turn on a car journey and have watched as the little map on the screen goes blank while the Sat Nav re-sets itself and comes up with an alternative route.
In the story of Satan and Jesus in the wilderness, we see God resetting the plan for humankind after Adam fails to resist Satan (in the form of the serpent) in the Garden of Eden and sin enters the world. (See Genesis 2:4-3:24)
Immediately preceding the temptation story, Luke recounts Jesus’ baptism and genealogy all the way back to Adam. He clearly wants us to see Jesus as a new Adam, one who will be totally obedient to God’s will, who will succeed where the first Adam failed and live the perfect human life.
Jesus responds to each of the devil’s temptations with a quotation from Deuteronomy:
“It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” (v. 4)
“It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” (v. 8)
“It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (v. 12)
Jesus, who is the son of God and affirmed at his baptism by God, humbly places himself under the authority of God’s law in the place of sinful humanity. He is saying in effect:
"God has told human beings that they shall not live by bread alone, so neither will I."
"God has told humans to only worship God, therefore I shall not worship the devil."
"God has told humans not to test God in any way so I will not put God to the test."
By identifying with those he came to save, Jesus resets the scene and suddenly we’re back in the Garden of Eden. Jesus, the 'new Adam' confronts the devil who is tempting him and triumphs, and the devil leaves him ‘until an opportune time'. (v. 13)
Jesus' final victory over death will not take place for another three years but the battle lines are now drawn and humanity’s freedom is in view.
To Ponder:
- What temptations might you be facing at the moment? Does Jesus’ victory over temptation in the wilderness give you greater strength to overcome them?
- We often think of ‘wilderness’ places in rather negative terms but for Jesus it was also a place of preparation for his coming ministry. Can you think of ‘wilderness’ times in your life which turned out to be times of preparation, perhaps for something exciting?
- In verse 12 Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy "Do not put the Lord your God to the test" but in Malachi 3:10 we find God inviting humans to test God. How do you reconcile these two commandments?
Prayer
Loving God, help me to remember that when I am facing temptation, Jesus has overcome everything I shall ever have to face. Amen.
Bible notes author: Sue Moore
Sue Moore is a visiting Anglican preacher on the Methodist circuit in West Norfolk. She is candidating for the role of Distinctive Deacon and together with her husband runs a bereavement support group. They have two greyhounds who keep them fit with plenty of walking.