Jesus, the Accuser, and Tests of Religion
A Glimpse Behind the Curtain of Jesus’ Work
Lk lets us hear God’s affirmation at Jesus’ baptism and review humanity behind Jesus. We’re about to go to Nazareth, but first a glimpse of wider, unseen reality. All events of Jesus’ life bear a vast weight of expectations, hopes, ideas of God. Lk takes us, as a writer can, into experiences beyond our reach, but recognizable.
Jesus is Israel in Wilderness, led by God. Hungry. Israel grumbles: the Accuser/diabolos.
Stylized, parabolic conversation. Testing, Tempting. Humans involved & at stake! Lk gives us no inner thoughts, but striking patterns that help us explore meaning.
A Stone & a Loaf – What’s Really Going On?
What’s the temptation? Not a sin to make bread. What does ‘son of God’ mean? Is it true? Surely not like hungry Israel. Surely it blocks out suffering. What’s happening?
Accuser doesn’t know. Jesus goes directly to Israel’s story. Dt.8. All food is God’s gift. ‘Give us today…’ No challenge. But can God’s son be a hungry human, broken. 40 days & hunger aren’t weakness, but strength to become God’s broken bread!
Power & Glory – Who Owns the World & History?
Accuser knows it’s about a kingdom. “Kingdom of God” (4:43). Instant view of world’s real kingdoms & authority. Augustus owns it, 2:1. Handed over to Accuser. Now, a Faustian bargain. Sell soul / Worship me & I’ll give your heart’s desire: all kingdoms. Power of politics, money, fame, violence, pleasure, etc. are gods we glorify as real.
The Accuser is deceived! The world belongs to the Lord, creator: Ps 24:1. Son of Man gains all peoples, nations. Dn 7. Messiah receives ends of earth: Ps 2:8. Really?!
Jesus goes to the center: Great command & meaning: Dt 6. Love God, Worship God.
All other claims to power are passing and usually destructive. Only by putting love of a God of Love at center can life/hope be transformed. Jesus is the substance!
Can I Pull God out of Hiding? – Testing God
Finally, the Accuser wields our innate doubt. God won’t let himself be displayed, proved. We want to cross-examine, judge God. Signs! From the Temple top, make God come out of hiding, prove himself. Prove your own faith. Today, a most popular challenge!
Scripture describes many signs, but none compel belief. God hides himself: Isa 45:15. God’s presence is there, hidden in plain sight for eyes like Simeon’s, Anna’s, Mary’s.
God in Love wants a relationship of faith & love with us humans. That means freedom! We can reject God, rebel, do huge damage, or we can respond in love. God’s power doesn’t stop us. No test we can impose. God is more than power; God is love. That love is clear to open ears & hearts so as to see Jesus’ self-giving love in Death/Life.
The Accuser is dumbfounded. Jesus takes Good News of his new kingdom to the people.