Now that we are in Lent, the Lectionary turns to the temptation of Jesus (Luke 4:1-13). This can be a hard story to relate to — after all few of us have probably had an audibly verbal conversation with Satan — and even fewer of us have to defend to him that we are the son of God 🙂 . Still, there is something to see here, a connection to be made.
If we step back a moment to the last action Jesus took in this gospel, then we see that it was a moment of triumph for him (Luke 3:21-22). John the Baptist had passed the torch, and God himself said that Jesus pleased him. You don’t get much higher than that!
Next, if we look past the metaphor and allegory of 4:1-13, then we see that Jesus had a very human response. Imagine the possibility that the scenarios are actually occurring to Jesus internally not externally, and a different picture emerges.
Rather than having some epic battle of verbal sparring, could Jesus be struggling with doubts, with uncertainty about his worthiness — his mission — his identity? See how often the word “if” comes up (v. 3,7,9).
We may not connect to out-quoting scripture to some red-skinned, scaly smooth-talker with a bifurcated tail, but, really, when has temptation ever been kind enough to show up so obviously? Do we connect with doubt, uncertainty, maybe even some inexplicable depression after a great moment of triumph?
Jesus pulls us in not because he has the most power or authority; rather, he gives us that little silver lining that he too went through the deepest doubts, struggles, and depressions — and he came through to the other side. Shouldn’t that give us hope…hope that there is another side, even if we can’t see it right now?
So, maybe this Sunday, think a little less about scaly demons and a little more about hope in the midst of doubt…