Ridley Hall, Cambridge

NAR

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

HEC

By the Spirit does it mean the Holy Spirit?

NAR

Yes, I think so.

HEC

Isn't that odd? I mean, the Holy Spirit, the ultimate goodie advisor, wants Jesus, the ultimate Goodie Hero, to be tempted! Temptation is bad and nasty, isn't it?

NAR

Not necessarily. The word we translate at tempted we could also translate as tested. A test is nasty if you're going to fail, but pretty good if it's going to show how good you are. If you're really on top of things a hard exam is something you want, because it shows you really know it. So just think, tested rather than tempted. Anyway, after fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

HEC

I should think so too! It's bad enough giving up chocolate for forty days. All this Lent stuff is hard on the old self control isn't it? I bet Jesus was tempted to have a snack or two.

NAR

Yes. The tempter came to him and said,

TEM

"If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

JESUS

"It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

HEC

I should think not. Five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables. Protein, vitamins and a bit of something tasty. Bread alone! Perish the thought!

NAR

I somehow think you've missed the point. Jesus isn't making the case for a balanced diet as our unbalanced dieticians understand it. He wants a balance of physical and spiritual needs, and he wants us to trust God for both, because God knows we need both. The word of God feeds us spiritually, and, although we've got lots of Bible versions in English there are millions of spiritually starving people in this country.

HEC

So why don't you feed them?

NAR

That's what I'm trying to do when you stop interrupting. Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.

TEM

"If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"

HEC

That's clever, isn't it. Quoting Scripture. Jesus has already shown that he thinks God's word is important so now he'll have to do what the Tempter says otherwise he's being hypocritical.

NAR

Not necessarily. Taking a bit of the Bible out of context isn't the way to be sure it is what God wants. There's a famous (but probably not true) story of someone who won a lot of money and wondered what to do with it so he just opened his Bible and his eye fell on Matthew 27:5 Then he went away and hanged himself. This seemed a bit drastic so he opened the Bible again, and this time it was Luke 10:37 Go and do likewise. Getting worried now he tried a third time and came up with John 13:27 What you are about to do, do quickly. Anyway, Jesus wasn't trapped because he replied

JESUS

"It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

HEC

So it's all right for us to be on trial, but not God?

NAR

Of course. Children don't set exams for University Professors! They have to trust that the Professors already know what they are talking about, and learn the syllabus set for them. How much more would it be silly for a creature to test its creator! If God didn't know what he was doing then the people he has made have no chance. Our job is to trust, not to test! On with the story:
Again, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour.

HEC

He likes climbing, doesn't he?

NAR

Yes, he likes looking down on things and people. He's very proud is Satan, the Tempter, the Devil or whatever you want to call him. He wanted to look down on Jesus, as you will hear.

TEM

"All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me."

HEC

He must be powerful, and rich too if he can offer to give those things.

NAR

Yes, he is able to offer almost anything. His promises are quite amazing. And he even gives some of the things he promises, although not all of them because he is a liar! But there are plenty of people who have chosen to be wicked in order to become rich and powerful. Lots of them quickly wish they hadn't because they find they are still not happy or at peace with themselves. One thing you can't buy is a clear conscience.

HEC

So what did Jesus say? Put it in writing? Show me your proof of ownership?

NAR

No. He'd had enough of this by now. He shows who has the real power by just dismissing the Tempter. He says.

JESUS

"Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

NAR

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

HEC

Bit late, I'd have thought. Talk about the cavalry arriving after the battle has been won.