I am sorry that this is later than normal. I was having problems with my internet last night. We are beginning to encounter in Matthew Jesus being commissioned and the beginning of his ministry. I am going to use some insights from Dr. Warren Carter who was my professor in the New Testament who has written extensively on the gospel of Matthew.
Immediately after Jesus is baptized, he is led to the wilderness. Carter talks about how this being led would remind the Jewish readers about God leading the people from Egypt into the wilderness. Actually the verb carries more connotations than being led, almost being driven into the wilderness. The wilderness represents the unknown and often associated with danger, demons, and other evil spirits. Carter also points out another similarity with Moses when the people were led through the water (John’s baptism) to a place of testing and temptation.
While there Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. Throughout the Hebrew Testament the number 40 appears. Noah’s story of the ark and raining 40 days, Moses on the mountain top receiving the commandments for 40 days, Elijah lying on his side for 40 days, and Jonah predicting the destruction of Nineveh in 40 days. The number 40 when applied to years represent a generation such as the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. There is a sense of mystery, divine judgment and temptation associated with the number.
The temptations that are presented to Jesus are part of this time in the wilderness. The tempter comes at a time when Jesus is at the most vulnerable. I often think about when people who have given their lives to God who believe that they will never have to be tempted or that somehow by their action they will be blessed without any concerns. Our baptism does not immune us to trials and tribulations, just as Jesus baptism did not immune him from temptation.
The first temptation was to use the power of God (gifts and talents maybe for us today) for our own needs without consideration of God’s Will. How often do we take the gifts that we have and serve ourselves first and than what is left over goes to God? And this is not just us as individuals but sometimes as an institution. Jesus responds to this temptation again evoking the Exodus by quoting Moses from Deuteronomy.
The next temptation has to do with power, political and religious power. Jesus is taken to the center of both political power and religious power in Jerusalem. It is interesting that the tempter uses scripture as a means to tempt Jesus. I am reminded of how often even today leaders both political and others use scripture for their own agenda. Jesus responds again from Deuteronomy.
The last temptation is for total control of the world. Perhaps this is the greatest temptation. What would be like to end hunger, poverty, illness, wars, and even death? Would one be willing to forgo God’s will to seek to establish a status quo where we become gods unto ourselves? Jesus will seek to end hunger, provide healing, raise the dead but not for his glory but for God’s glory. One last time Jesus quotes Moses.
The rest of the chapter begins to focus on Jesus’ ministry. John is arrested and Jesus goes to Galilee. Jesus goes not to the political centers but instead goes to where the people are. He does teach in the Synagogues but he is an itinerate preacher.
We have his first call to the disciples. Those that he chooses are not the rich, educated, religious leaders, or even that popular. He chooses very common poor laborers. His ministry is first to those who are marginalized by those in power and interested in maintaining the status quo. Note that Jesus calls them. Those that are called do not belong to a certain birth status or tribe and later not even gender.
Jesus proclaims the gospel or good news both in seeking those to repent but also in healing and feeding those who were hungry. In my training as a psychotherapist we learned about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Before one can deal with their spiritual needs they must have their physical, safety, and belonging needs met. Jesus provides for not just spiritual healing but healing that is holistic.
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