In this passage, Jesus is tempted by the devil in the wilderness for forty days, successfully resisting. This is the first gospel reading for the season of Lent this year. Just like Jesus is tempted over forty days, so too is Lent forty days (not including Sundays). Like time in the wilderness, this is a time for contemplation, a chance to reflect on how we are living out our faith and especially, what we could do better. 

   The passage begins after Jesus has been baptized by John. We know that this is all according to God’s plan because it is the Holy Spirit which leads Jesus into the desert. Why did Jesus need to go into the wilderness? The term “testing” can also mean “refining”, like in preparing a metal for forging an item with it. This was a time to focus and set his sights on what he was going to do for his ministry and, eventually, his death, to forge him into the savior he is meant to be. Jesus probably had many worldly concerns before his ministry. He was a carpenter and had a large family of brothers and sisters to look after. This time in the wilderness allows him to set aside these concerns, somewhat, to focus on the next part of his life. 

   After fasting for a time that would be dangerous for anyone else, Jesus is tested by the devil. The tests are similar to ones found in Matthew’s account, but in a different order than found there. Here, Jesus is first tempted to make food for himself. The fact that Jesus hasn’t already been tempted to do this after forty days without food speaks to his steadfastness. Then Jesus is tempted with worldly power that the devil says is his to give in exchange for worship. Jesus is not interested and cites scripture as to why.

   Finally, the devil tempts Jesus to demonstrate his protection under God by throwing himself off the top of the temple in Jerusalem. Most offensively, the devil cites scripture to try to convince Jesus to do this. I imagine that this is the last straw for Jesus. Perhaps his curt response to the devil was said in such a way that it scared him a bit, so the devil gives up here, but ominously, he plots to return at a more opportune time later. 

   What are we supposed to take from this passage? Debate has centered around two interpretations, for the most part. Maybe we are supposed to be inspired by Jesus to similarly resist temptation and rely on scripture, as Jesus does here, to do so. Or maybe this passage shows us how great Jesus is to be able to resist the devil beyond what any ordinary person would be able to do. In this interpretation, we can have confidence that Jesus is worthy to be our saviour because of his perfection in resisting the temptations of this world. Which interpretation speaks most to you?