This story comes right after Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist, a moment of recognition and glory. But rather than capitalizing on that momentum, the Holy Spirit immediately sends Him to the desert to fast.
Fasting is not the easiest is spiritual disciplines, and extending it to 40 days is beyond intense. The reason we fast is that we are taking something we both need and want and giving it up in order to make room to focus on the love, words she presence of God. You can also fast from other things that may distract us from completely focusing on Jesus.
Moses and Elijah also fasted for 40 days, while the Israelites spent 40 years wandering in the desert. Jesus himself ties these concepts together in the scriptures that He cites, all of which were from Deuteronomy.
The question of food and fasting is addressed directly in the first of Satan’s attacks. We see the direct connection here to the Israelites who grumbled and got “hangry” when food stores ran low, much like we do when things don’t go our way. But Jesus replied with the message that God’s provision goes far beyond our conception our abilities. The specific reference Jesus uses explicitly refers to manna, the tangible reminder and evidence of God’s provision – free food every morning! – and also His desire for us to trust in Him daily – if you try to store our hoard or, it spoils.
So Satan tries again, taking Jesus to the top of the temple and encouraging him to demonstrate His authority. But Jesus replies again with a reference to the Exodus: “Do not put the LORD your God to the test”- they next few words are “as you did at Massah.” This goes from food to water, because Massah is where the Israelites grumbled and quarreled when they couldn’t get water. Water is even more vital than food, and again in that story God provided what was needed. There are two stories where God uses Moses to do this. In the first, in Exodus 17, God tells Moses to strike the rock and water comes out of it. Then in Numbers 33 we see the same thing again, but this time God tells Moses to command the Rock verbally – and instead, Moses strikes the Rock again – twice! Among other things, this is a reminder that we are tempted to go back to old traditions, and even doubling down on them, rather than seeking what God is speaking to our community right now. Once again, it comes back to the Word of God and trusting Him for our provision rather than taking matters into our own hands.
Next, Satan goes all in, taking Jesus to a mountain – maybe not a real mountain – and showing off the kingdoms of the world and offering all the worldly glory and power that there is. Satan offers him empire and control of the sort the world understands. But Jesus remains on mission, which is based on the process, just as much as the outcome – emptying Himself of power and glory in order to take them up again. Losing in order to win, dying in order to live and bring life.
We ourselves are tempted to put other things ahead of our mission, to seek to achieve our ends by kissing the wrong rings, which always ends up warping what we may have wanted. When we substitute our own image for the image of God, when we are discontent with the place we are put and the gifts we are given – all these are ways we bow down to Not-God, seeking the power and glory of the world.
But Christ’s instruction to us is the same as His answer to the Devil – “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
— Sermon Notes, Dave Sim, Renew Church, Lynnwood WA, February 26, 2023