A Path with Fewer Shortcuts
One of the great myths of our culture is that one must fall to a specific temptation to understand another’s struggle with that temptation. This myth suggests that one cannot grasp the weight of a temptation without having given in to it. But does that really make sense?
Who feels the full weight of a temptation, one who’s will collapses or one who walks under the weight of the temptation without collapsing?
Those who have faced a temptation without succumbing to it are better equipped to offer aid to those struggling than those who have never faced that temptation or those who have not overcome it. That’s why it’s important for us to understand the story of Jesus’ temptation and why it precedes his ministry to fallen humanity.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
“For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18
Without the story in Matthew 4:1-11, we might easily wonder how Jesus, being sinless and morally pure, could possibly relate to our struggles with temptation and sin. Though we make a mistake if we look at this story without the preceding story of Jesus’ baptism.
Following the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3, he received two powerful affirmations. One came from the Holy Spirit as he descended like a dove and rested upon Jesus. The other came from God the Father as a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
I’ve found this pattern of powerful affirmations followed by temptations and trials common in both Scripture and in the everyday lives of modern-day followers of Jesus. Though I think it’s commonly misinterpreted. We see the pattern of affirmation followed by challenge and think that our enemy, hearing our affirmation, reacts to our positive experience by challenging us. The pattern in Scripture seems to be reversed from this modern interpretation. In Scripture, God most often affirms one in preparation for a challenge he can surely foresee.
Most parents have been there – watching one of our children before they face an impending challenge. Knowing when to wade into that challenge and rescue them and when to stay on the bank and watch is mostly certainly one of the greatest challenges parents face. But what happens when a parent continually rescues their children? Do those children develop character, resilience, and the confidence that only comes from overcoming trials and temptations? Do they become independent, competent adults? Of course not. Faith, steadfastness, courage, and confidence each come from personally overcoming temptations and trials. That’s why our Father watches as we go through challenges. Each challenge serves as a progress report revealing how far we’ve come and how we need to grow. Like a wise parent, God affirms his son, Jesus, before leading him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Affirmation is provided to encourage and position us to best face impending trials and temptations.
Jesus’ temptation was God-ordained and devil inflicted. The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Then the devil, as he so often does, waited until Jesus was alone, hungry, and physically weak to offer Jesus three temptations:
1. Command these stones to become loaves of bread.
2. Throw yourself off the pinnacle of the Temple for your angels to catch you.
3. Fall and worship me & I’ll give you all the kingdoms of this world and their glory.
I think a lot of people look at those three temptations and wonder how those have anything to do with our personal temptations. Most of us have not been tempted…
After 40 days of fasting
By the devil himself
To turn stones into bread
To throw oneself off the Temple
Or to be given all the kingdoms of the world for worshipping the devil
Yet, those three temptations have everything to do with us. What Satan was offering Jesus was a shortcut. He was offering Jesus the crown without enduring the cross. The tempter was acknowledging Jesus’ hunger and implying that everyone is hungry. If Jesus would simply fill people’s bellies, they would surely follow him without any need to go to the cross.
If Jesus would make this big spectacle in Jerusalem, throwing himself off the Temple only to be caught by angels, people would surely follow him. Heck, if he’d just fall to his knees and worship the devil, he’d give him all the kingdoms of the world. Why go to the cross if you can get the crown without the cross?
I’m sure someone is thinking, “Yeah, but was Jesus really tempted?”. Look back at the two quotes from Hebrews 2 & 4. The Bible says Jesus was tempted! Afterall, while Jesus was fully God, he was also fully man; and we know he was sweating blood as his arrest, beating, and crucifixion drew near. He clearly dreaded the cross and the weight of the sins of the world. And Satan was offering him the crown without the cross.
So, what’s the connection to us?
Consider your greatest or most common personal temptations. My guess is that each is a shortcut to something.
Alcohol and drugs are shortcuts to feel better, happier, or more joyful without doing the things that would bring lasting contentment and comfort.
Gambing is a shortcut to earning income.
Sex outside of marriage is a shortcut to the pleasures of sex without the responsibilities of a covenant.
Porn is a shortcut to sexual release without the challenges of relationship.
Deceit is a shortcut to gain acceptance or approval without the work of maintaining integrity.
Anger or rage is a shortcut to ending conflict without the work of resolving it.
Over-eating or gluttony is a short-cut to feeling fulfilled without engaging in fulfilling effort.
Theft is a shortcut to take what one wants without earning it.
Each offering of the devil, each temptation, is one of laziness - to gain a reward without doing the work. You see, at the core of each of our temptations is the same core temptation that Jesus faced – a shortcut. Hebrews 2 says Jesus “suffered when tempted.” He knows the full weight of your temptation. He knows what it’s like to be offered the reward without the work. He wanted the crown. He dreaded the cross. Satan presented an opportunity to gain one without the other.
And each time, Jesus quoted Scripture to show himself aligned with his Father in heaven.
“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
But give Satan an inch, be content with simply lessening your sin, and he’ll grab your heel, then your hip, and finally your heart.
Following Jesus is a process of life-change (repentance). It’s a process of increasingly allowing Jesus to be Lord of one’s life. It’s a process of learning God’s definitions of good and evil and aligning one’s life with his definitions. It’s a process of trusting one who knows the full weight of our temptation and promises to give us everything we need to overcome it. It’s a process of trusting him more as we discover more of our best life with each change. It’s a path with fewer shortcuts.
Thanks for reading,
John