Temptation at the Point of Identity

Scripture:

Luke 4:1    Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, ² where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. ³ The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” ⁴ Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”

Luke 4:5    Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. ⁶ And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. ⁷ If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” ⁸ Jesus answered him, “It is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,

and serve only him.’”

Luke 4:9    Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, ¹⁰ for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,

to protect you,’

¹¹ and

‘On their hands they will bear you up,

so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

¹² Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” ¹³ When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Observation:

Luke had just finished with the genealogy of Jesus Christ that concluded with Adam as the son of God. The connection is important because Luke was revealing to all that Jesus was the Son of God and comes to represent the new Adam. As Jesus goes out into the wilderness he also represents God’s child, Israel. It was in the wilderness that they wandered for 40 years, to learn dependence and trust in God. The wilderness was a place of preparation and now, Jesus was to show that he was prepared to take up his role as Messiah. 

The first temptation begins with the word “if” — “if you are the Son of God” — and then, the temptation is in the area of food. It was the forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve ate. They succumbed at the point of this temptation, as did the Israelites, who grumbled and complained because of God’s provision, wanting more. Jesus overcomes the temptation to give into the desires of the flesh, which would have resulted in the loss of his identity as the Son of God. 

The next temptation is also at the point of identity, for as Son of God, Jesus already had power and authority over all the kingdoms of this world. Satan required that Jesus worship him and he would relinquish earthly kingdoms to him. Jesus knew that he was not to be a political leader. Later, when the crowds were following him, it would have been easy for him to be tempted into a revolution, but this was settled for him before the crowds ever gathered. His identity would remain with his Father’s kingdom, and not with any position in the world. 

The final temptation begins again with “if” — “if you are the Son of God” — then do some magic here and prove that you really are powerful. In contrast to Adam, who left paradise to go out into the wilderness, Jesus has gone out into the wilderness so that he can lead us all back to Paradise. 

Application:

What does identity in Christ look like for all of us? The first temptation of Christ is one of the flesh, it’s about food, or about consumption. We are all tempted in the flesh. I love food and it will probably always be a temptation for me, but self-denial must also be a part of who I am. I’m trying to learn more about fasting and listening to the voice of God, and having my tummy growl is actually helpful in that endeavor. Temptations around media are great and it’s easy to become so engaged that we begin to lose our identity as a child of God, and instead identify with particular groups or conversations. Sexual temptations and identities hang out there, trying to lure us away from knowing that we are in Christ. Jesus refused to allow anything of the flesh to steal his identity as the Son of God. 

We are also lured by the power of this world. It can come in subtle ways, but often through association with others who are in positions of power and authority. The problem is, those people and positions are transient and will eventually pass away. If that is where we have found our hope, we will suddenly find ourselves lost and without a foundation. Jesus knew that the enemy’s power was only temporary. The only long-term place of rest and trust is in the Lord. 

I think we can also be tempted by the desire to see Jesus perform magic. Jesus is not a performer, nor does he respond upon demand. Jesus’ miracles were a part of God’s design to draw all of humanity back into a relationship with the Father. Jesus knew when to do what he did because he spent hours in prayer with the Father and understood his mission clearly. Prayer is the passageway to a deeper relationship with God, and God alone is who we are to worship. We are tempted to worship the culture of the day. This too shall pass — and quickly! 

Jesus’ wilderness temptations at the point of identity are solemn reminders that the enemy wants to steal our identity as well. The temptations come, sometimes quite obviously, and others in very subtle ways. May God help us, through the power of the Holy Spirit in Christ, to resist. 

Prayer:

Lord, there are days that feel like a wilderness journey. May you bring strength and wisdom for each day, and each temptation.  Amen.