One afternoon many years ago, my dad and I drove up to see my grandparents, a little more than an hour north of LA. I have forgotten many things about that drive. I can’t tell you what year it was, what car we road in, or even all the things we talked about. I do remember that I was in college and that I was sharing my feelings about breaking up with a girlfriend. My father began to share some of the temptations he had faced in his life—situations in which his character was tested—with women, with despair, and with work. Story after story bubbled up from his past, to be shared with his son. It was a very special day for me. As I look back on these stories of testing—and my own stories, I come to realize that testing comes when we have ability, resources and power. Our abilities, resources and power open up possibilities before us, and we must decide what direction we will go. Not until we are old enough to walk and think for ourselves are we able to walk knowingly away from our parents. Not until we physically mature are we tested by sexual relationships. Not until we learn to drive are we tempted to ignore speed. Not until we had money were we tempted to spend it. And it was not until Jesus was baptized and God’s voice was heard, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” that Jesus is tempted as he is in today’s passages. In each test, Jesus shows His life is guarded by His need for God and His adequacy with God.
To start with, Jesus’ need for God guards His life. In the first temptation, Satan focuses on Jesus’ for food and Jesus focuses on his need for God. “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In the second temptation, Satan focuses on Jesus’ need to be spectacular and Jesus focuses on his need for God. “It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” In the third temptation, Satan focuses on Jesus’ need for achievement and Jesus focuses on his need for God. “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” In all these cases, Jesus moves past the competing distractions to the truth of His life: Jesus’ need for God.
Lastly, Jesus trusts that with God, He is more than enough. In the first temptation, Satan focuses on Jesus’ lack of food and Jesus focuses on his fullness with God. How could he lack anything if God was looking out for his needs? In the second temptation, Satan focuses on Jesus’ lack of proof that he is the Son of God (remember, God had only said the words after his baptism) and Jesus focuses on his contentedness with his relationship with God. Why would Jesus test God on something he already knew deep down inside? In the third temptation, Satan focuses on Jesus’ lack of accomplishment and Jesus focuses on his completeness with God. In all these cases, Jesus cuts through what seemed like shortcomings with this truth: with God in His life, Jesus was more than able to face any obstacle.
When we face temptations, how often are we tempted by our needs to step out of God’s plan and make something happen? Maybe it’s a physical or emotional need—a sweet-tooth, loneliness, frustration, or people-pleasing—all of these can suggest to us that our physical or emotional need is the most important thing in our lives. And yet, God knows our needs, loves us, and provides for us. When we stay focused on our need for God, then the other needs do not drive our lives—God does, and God can meet the true needs of our hearts. In the same way, how often do we get the message that we are not good enough, that we would be better off if we had this TV or phone, this air fryer or car, this drink or that food? And yet, God shows us in Jesus that you and me—we are worth dying for. When we stay focused on how much God loves us, then we know we are more than enough.
Sometimes we can really feel lost in the wilderness of life. We will be tempted to take shortcuts, to follow the latest hot tip for getting out of the wilderness sooner. But going through the wilderness—with all its struggles—is the only real way to get to a better, more fulfilling, more joy-filled life. That’s why we need someone to go with us. One of the reasons hearing my dad’s stories on that afternoon drive meant so much to me is that I knew I wasn’t alone. Many of the temptations I face even today—they are ones my dad faced. His example gives me courage. I could learn from his experiences, and so miss some of the pitfalls he battled through. Knowing that Jesus was tempted and tested just like me is even more important. Oh I know I will probably never be tempted to make bread out of stones, or leap from a steeple so God can catch me, or worship Satan so I can save the world. I know, too, that unlike Jesus, I am going to fail, to forget the full strength of God’s love and abundance. But knowing that Jesus has passed through temptations like mine helps me know that I can go to him and talk with him about my struggles…and He understands! Knowing that God loves me enough to let Jesus be tempted, to let Jesus die on the cross for me, and to make sure Jesus rose again on third day gives me great hope that God will make sure to raise me up when I fall. And knowing that Jesus passed through temptations like mine and won through helps me know that if I will trust him, he will guide my footsteps so that I might win through my temptations too. Jesus is, indeed, the indispensable companion for all our life’s journeys through the wilderness.