Today on the first sunday of Lent season the gospel reading is from the gospel according to Mark. It is about the temptations of Jesus in the desert and the beginning of His public ministry. Mathew and Luke have recorded the same event much more in detail.
Jesus spent 40 days in prayer in the desert as preparation to his public ministry. At the end Jesus was tempted according to the records of the synoptic gospels.
Forty was a symbolic number for the Jews. The Jews have wandered 40 years in the desert after their escape from Egypt. The flood during the time of Noah remained for 40 days ( Gen 7:12). Moses was a shepherd after his escape from Egypt for 40 years (Ex 7:30). Before receiving the Ten Commandments Moses spend 40 days and 40 nights on the mount Sinai (Ex 24:40). According to Deutronomy 5:18 Moses prayed for his people for 40 days. (Deut. 9:18) Prophet Eliya has taken 40 days to reach the Mount Horeb after his escape from the Princessin Jesebel. (1King 19:18). The ascension of Jesus was 40 days after his resurrection (Acts1:3).
According to the gospels of Mathew and Luke satan tempted Jesus three times with three different temptations. The three in the Bible symbolises fullness and totality. It can be interpreted that the temptations were very intensive. Jesus had really to fight against it to overcome. Every small or big temptation is such. It is tough enough to fight and overcome it.
Jesus was tempted in three different places: in the desert, on the mountains and on the top of the temple. All these three places had much importance in the history of the Jews.
First the desert: The experience during 40 years of travel through the desert towards the promised land was unforgettable for the Israelites. They received the 10 commandments in the desert. The heavenly manna, different problems, their falling away from faith and the remedy, etc. were part of their desert experience.
Second the mountains: The people of Israel received the revelation of God on the mountains. The father Abraham went to the mountain to offer his son Issac. Moses received the commandments on the mountains. The fathers went to the mountains to pray. People of different cultures, nations and religions constructed temples on the mountains in the hope that they could experience God better on the mountains.
Third the temple: Satan tempted Jesus in Jerusalem: For Jews the importance of Jerusalem during the period of Jesus was more than one could explain. They lost their only temple in Jerusalem. Today they live in the hope of regaining their place of worship. Satan tempted Jesus in the three most important places of Jews.
Jesus faced three different temptations in three different places. Even today Satan tempts people in familiar and important places of them. It could be our place of prayer, work, relaxation or in the activities of the family or community. These three different temptations of Jesus could be interpreted as three different tendencies of human.
The temptation to produce bread from stone through the power of God was not acceptable for Jesus. In the book of Genesis it is written that one should earn its bread through its work. Every one is supposed to work and earn money. There is no shortcut for that. No short cut is acceptable. It is one’s duty and right to work.
Similar is the second and third temptations. The second temptation took place on the mountains. It was an invitation to adore satan. As reward satan promises money and power. To earn money and power through wrong and evil means is not to accept. Jesus denied it categorically.
The third temptation was to attain fame and popularity by exhibiting the sonship of Jesus. It happens on the top of the temple. Jesus did overcome this temptation to become popular very quick by means that were not correct. Jesus knew that his power given by God and his status were not to abuse to become popular.
Actually the temptations were to gain Luxury, influence, fame, money and power. Jesus was interested to do good and help the people and to proclaim the good news of the kingdom. None of the temptations could make any change in his attitude and commitment. In the coming lent season let us reflect on how Jesus reacted to such temptations and tendencies and try to imitate Jesus.
Fr. Joseph Pandiappallil MCBS