The Temptations of Jesus

[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?

*****
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.

[Sam]

Or
as our first parents were tempted by

lust of the flesh (fruit was good for food)
lust of the eye (fruit was pleasant to the eye)
pride of life (fruit was desired to make one wise)

Jesus was tempted by
lust of the flesh (hungry for food)
lust of the eye (saw the kingdoms of the world and their glory)
pride of life (show off God's protective power and float down from the Temple unharmed)

[Jeffrey]

I see the entire issue summed up by "do we believe?" and if we believe, do we trust Him?

This is what lies behind every sin. Every issue of sin, at the heart, is an issue of unbelief.

[Jeffrey]

I don't think Adam & Eve were just tempted by good food (though I know I am sometimes)! The issue was one of trust. They allowed the serpent to cause them, even for a moment, to not believe God.

[Jeffrey]

Boy that was a hot thread ROFLOL

[noeticknight]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

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...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.

Well stated. I had to read this particular part over again.

[Jason B]

Jeffery, I appreciate our thoughts on the forum, I'm just not in your league.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

The Temptation unmasked Satan more while Jesus remained masked. "If you are God, act like him. Dazzle them! Show them something!"

I do not believe that was the temptation. It was IF YOU ARE SON OF GOD AND GOD IS TAKING CARE OF YOU, then prove it to yourself. He was tempting Christ's humanity. And the beauty of this is that we can relate to that. We're human. Jesus showed us that as MAN, He refused to tempt God, worship anyone other than God, and test God's care.

[notofworks]

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?

*****
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.

"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".

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by mfblume

I do not believe that was the temptation. It was IF YOU ARE SON OF GOD AND GOD IS TAKING CARE OF YOU, then prove it to yourself. He was tempting Christ's humanity. And the beauty of this is that we can relate to that. We're human. Jesus showed us that as MAN, He refused to tempt God, worship anyone other than God, and test God's care.

Interesting take, Mike.

The temptation, if against his humanity, was asking things of him that were simply unhuman. The fact is, the temptations were based on "if you are the Son of God," which is a divine charge, not a human charge.

To me, it's a repeat of the garden -- and I borrow Paul's "second man Adam" comparison. I see the temptation in the same storyline: trusting God.

I also like how he didn't take the easy way out. If he did, it changes everything. Some churches still operate with the "easy way out" approach. He could have showed mighty signs to everyone and compelled them to himself. But he didn't. As the Kierkegaard quote shows, he's lightness has given us independence to do with him what we will.

The echo of Satan's temptation was in Peter, the thieves on the cross, Pilate, and the mockers even at his last breath (if you are the Son of God, come down from there). He chose a cross over a crown, and it changed everything.