Scholars are quick to point out – there was a “HUGE” change in Jesus’ status immediately following his baptism.
Luke tells us, “and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying – the heavens opened up and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
It was in that “second of time” – that Jesus’ status – went from being a bottom-of-the-heap carpenter’s-son”- to a “top-of-the-heap-God’s-son” – he would never-ever be accepted without many challenges and much testing lying ahead of him.
Temptations therefore had to come.
Not just one temptation, but many temptations.
They would not just come from one source, but many sources. This is apparent in all the questioning about Jesus’ humble background and who people professed him to be.
It was an uphill climb.
The Gospel writer Luke hopes to answer these questions even before we have the time to address them.
Therefore, in his genealogy – Jesus is not only a “son of Abraham,” but Luke takes it one HUGE – GIANT step forward to being “the son of God.”
Jesus obviously passes all testing in the temptation narrative.
And finally, Jesus goes home – to face hometown testing of his new status.
While the church has always seen this as being a temptation narrative…there are those who view it only as a “testing narrative.” I suppose it is all a matter of perspective.
“They say” that Jesus is not being tempted at all, but rather – he is being tested.
What is at issue – is Jesus’ loyalty to God and not his moral perfection.
The high honor status of Jesus has been declared by the voice from Heaven – it was not something of his own doing.
Jesus (some say) is being tested here – to see – if he is true to his own heart.
His loyalty to God is in question. If he is going to be the Messiah, the “anointed one of God,” what kind of Messiah will he be?
We further know – that the original satanic figure, diabolical being – liar – fallen angel was originally a “Persian secret service agent” who tested loyalty to the king.”
He was a great manipulator. An inquisitor. Who acted very much like “an undercover agent” in any of many, many oppressive Governments? Always plotting, always listening, and always making mountains out of mole hills. Always fingering… Always looking for a culprit…a conspirator…
Jesus was being tested…they say…and his loyalty is in question.
Jesus does not answer the questions asked of him with his own responses – to do so would be dishonorable and bring only shame.
Instead he answers each and every test question as a loyal Middle Eastern son would answer. He quotes something from his family tradition. The words he uses – are not his own.
The test is as follows:
Whom will you serve? God or the devil? To whom will you show obedience and subservience to? Whom will you worship?
These self-same questions can be asked of us, and of our children…and our children’s children.
These questions can be asked in each and every generation.
Whom will you serve?
Notice “how” you and I will be next. The devil is relentless. He doesn’t quit. He looks for small openings to get his foot into the door. Then he pounces.
The devil, the evil one is a sly one, he is inventive. He is devious. He pushes buttons. He looks for vulnerability.
This diabolical one knows the scriptures better than we do. He is more than capable of using the scriptures for his own benefit. He is a literalist.
But Jesus is able to defeat him. He thoroughly whips his butt. He is defeated not once, not twice, but three times. Three times for emphasis sake… Three times so we do not forget. Three times so we remember.
We too are capable of passing our own tests. We can do this. We have what it takes. We are stronger than we realize.
The devil slinks away…but only till’ an opportune time. Evil returns. Testing continues.
Temptations exist and are very real.