The Temptation of Jesus Matthew 4:1-11
It was the first Sunday in Lent, 2017. Worship had ended and I was in the company of my godson who is not yet two years old and just beginning to understand himself and his world. Someone tried to take him and he said “No!” The person persisted and he resisted with a firm “No!” I said what a resistance! No! The sermon was not about resistance.Yet, as I thought about my godson’s response it dawned on me that Jesus’ entire ministry was based on resisting the powers and principalities of his world. This ministry of resistance was not accepted by the powers of the world, and ultimately led to the efforts of the same powers and principalities to silence him. What the crucifiers of Jesus did not know, believe, or expect, is that Jesus would also resist corruption and rise on the third day.
The temptation in the wilderness shows Jesus resisting as he faithfully and steadfastly refused to participate in the worldly system by relying on and drawing strength and support from the Word of God.
After forty days of fasting Jesus was hungry, but he resisted using his power and access to power and influences to preserve himself. Personal protection is always paramount to humans, but Jesus shows us that dependence on God and obedience to God are supreme. Yes! There are times when we must resist making our own survival the top priority.
Jesus resisted the temptation to manipulate scripture for his own selfish purposes. Not only did he resist, but he also demonstrated his power and authority when, like an army captain, he issued the command: “Get thee behind me, Satan" Matt. 4:10. He was resolute and unyielding in his refusal to cede to the ways of the world. Using the scripture as his primary tool of resistance, he declared that he had no intention of testing God or using God for his own gain. It is dangerous and wrong to manipulate scripture to satisfy our own selfish ambitions, programmes and desires.
Jesus resisted the temptation to surrender his principles and employ the instruments of the world to win the world. He refused to rely on, or worship the things of this world in order to become king. He resisted the use of the weapons of war, and so when Peter drew his sword and dislocated the soldier’s ear, Jesus promptly healed him and told Peter to put away his sword. Jesus resisted submitting to the principalities and powers because his purpose was to redeem the world, and he was determined to be obedient to God’s way, even if it meant death. In that very powerful hymn Ray Overholt wrote:
“He could have called 10,000 angels to destroy the world and set him free, but he died alone for you and me.”
During this Lenten Season let us join Jesus in resisting the powers and influences of this world by praying, fasting, meditating on God’s Word, and by holding one another accountable in Christian love and witness. Let us join Jesus in resisting the principalities and powers that would seek to destroy everything that is good and promising.
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