JESUS’ CHOICES

I SUNDAY OF LENT: Lk 4:1-13

After his baptism, Jesus went into the desert for a time of reflection and search about himself and his mission. He had to think about his programme, and he was faced with different strategies to carry it out. The gospels of Luke and Matthew present that through the form of temptations. Jesus was tempted, meaning that there were different choices appealing to him, some of which were wrong choices.

THE TEMPTATION OF SELFISHNESS

After forty days, Jesus was hungry (Lk 4:2). 

But why should he suffer? 

He is the Son of God. He has power. 

Does he need to suffer? 

It is very easy and simple.

And the first proposition was presented to him:

Use your power and your position, 

and everything will be solved.
This is the TEMPTATION OF SELFISHNESS, of thinking only about oneself, caring for one’s needs, without paying attention to others and without thinking about possible consequences. 

This is the temptation of using one’s position, power and influence for his own profit.

In the desert, when they ran out of food, the People of Israel could not trust God’s love. They accused God of setting a trap for them and of starving them to death (Ex 16:17). Jesus suffers the same temptation of doubting God’s love and his promises, but he entrusted himself totally to GOD.

THE TEMPTATION OF USING GOD AND RELIGION FOR OUR OWN GLORY

Taken to the pinnacle of the Temple, he was advised to throw himself down and to force God to come to his rescue. This is the TEMPTATION TO USE GOD HIMSELF, HIS WORD AND RELIGION to get recognition and glory or to become a leader and to gain power.

It was as well the TEMPTATION TO MAKE MIRACLES AND WONDERS in order to gain glory, wealth and power. Jesus was tempted to make miracles, so that people would believe in his power. In a way, we can say that it was the TEMPTATION TO USE MAGIC AND WITCHCRAFT to lead and rule the people.

THE TEMPTATION OF WEALTH AND POWER

And he was offered political power and wealth as the way out for the problems of this world. However, he would have to accept a heavy condition in order to be given the kingdom of this world: to recognise and worship Satan. Jesus’ answer was a total refusal, proclaiming the very old but always new truth that only God is God, and only God can be worshiped.

Political and economic power can become the overriding value, to which we submit everything else. Power and wealth can become the god that we worship, the god that we serve. Jesus rejected political power, and when people wanted to make him a king, he went into hiding.

There are so many false values that appear to bring a better world, in which people may enjoy freedom, justice and peace. What an illusion. Once followed, they transform us into slaves, making enemies of our neighbours, our friends and our families.

May God gives the wisdom and the courage to choose the true liberating values that will guide our lives.