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Originally Posted by Jeffrey
Some thoughts I had written recently after reading some writings on the Temptation of Jesus. The authors include Kierkegaard, Yancey, Milton, etc... thought I'd share with you all and allow some interaction.
What is the significance of the temptations of Jesus?
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The Temptation seems to be a reenactment of the story in the Garden. Adam and Eve with the serpent, now Jesus alone with the same Tempter. Where Adam & Eve fell, Jesus wins -- but not in the way we would think it correct.
There does not seem to be evil in Satan's requests. They were qualities expected in the Messiah.
The Temptation unmasked Satan more while Jesus remained masked. "If you are God, act like him. Dazzle them! Show them something!" But Jesus didn't. It reminds me of Pilate at the trial, asking him to defend himself. Say something against the charges. But nothing but restraint. As Yancey added, it was like his rebuke to Peter and his enduring of the taunts of the thieves on the cross: accept an easier way. Prove yourself, save yourself. But to save us, he couldn't save himself.
Satan tempted Jesus with the good parts of being human without the bad. Wear a crown but not a cross. This is our temptation today.
People's Messiah -- giving bread.
Torah Messiah -- standing tall at pinnacle of Temple
Kingdom Messiah -- ruling and having dominion over entire world
Jesus could have been the Messiah we think we want. Anything but a Suffering Messiah!
Three elements used by Satan in the temptations: Miracle, Mystery, Authority
Make it easier for people. Impose on their freedom if it makes it easier for their salvation. Compel belief. But Kingdom is not top-down, it is bottom-up.
God made himself weak for one purpose: to let human being choose freely for themselves what to do with him.
"Omnipotence which can lay its hand so heavily upon the world can also make its touch so light that the creature receives independence." Kierkegaard
Yancey: Faith suffers from too much independence. Jesus resisted temptation for a slower, gentler way.
"Miracle of restraint." Power can force obedience, only love can summon a response of love, which is the one thing God wants from us and the reason he created us.
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"Allow some interaction". That's funny. So we're gonna have "Interaction" on AFF. Well, if "Inter" indicates more than one person being involved, and "Action" speaks of blood, guts, insults, name-calling, arrogance and condescension, I guess we will, indeed, have a little "Interaction".
