Free ? (2)

Saturday 12 June 2021

Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan. He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil for 40 days. He ate nothing during those days, and when that period was over he was hungry. The devil said to him : If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread. Jesus answered him : It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4. 1-4

Free ? (2)

After thirty years of a humble life, in the carpenter's family, Jesus will begin his public service. He is baptized by John in the Jordan, and from above the Father publicly proclaims that he is his beloved Son. Then Jesus is taken into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan.

Adam had been tempted in the Garden of Eden when he had everything he needed. Jesus is in a desert and for forty days he ate nothing. Satan then shows up. He suggests that she feed herself on her own, and on her own initiative. In other words, he seeks to make him act independently of God, for himself. But Jesus does not want to do anything without his God, he relies on him for everything that concerns him. The Word of God is his food, it is sufficient for him. The will of this perfect man always corresponded to that of his Father.

By two other temptations, Satan still seeks to disturb his trust in God, and his fidelity to him. But Jesus is victorious and Satan must withdraw.

During this temptation, the stakes are high. Before Jesus began to teach, his obedience and trust in God had to be tested.

If Satan had achieved his ends, mankind would have been lost, hopeless. But he failed. Jesus' behavior was flawless, showing that he was sinless : only he could then offer himself on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins.

Source (The Good Seed)