After his baptism by his cousin – who was more than surprised to seee him in the lineup – he needs time to move out of his old life and into a new one. So he does a deal with cousin Yochanan to let him use his cave for a month or two, and moves in. Did ‘fasting’ mean nothing except water? Bread and water? Locusts and wild honey? In any case, he clearly spends his forty days mainly praying. This is his training-period before moving into full-scale messiahhood. I’m not sure we can really imagine what ‘praying ‘ means in this context. Talking to his father (the coach), certainly. Disciplining himself like an athlete, probably. Practicing? Practicing what? Preaching? Healing? For the preaching side of his future activity, he may well have been working out the details of the new theology. This would involve recall of the key Scriptures he must have by now known almost by heart – Pentateuch, Isaiah, Psalms, maybe Ezekiel, ?Daniel --, the outlines of current thinking on the subject of the Meshiach and what would be his innovations.
At some point or points during this period come the confrontations with the Tempter. Whatever one thinks about the personal exchanges, in his situation facing three key temptations, and these three in particular, was likely and perhaps inevitable. What were they? One: hunger. Fasting is not easy, especially a prolonged fast for one who would normally only do small ritual ones. But the point here wasn’t hunger it was power. You’re the Meshiach now, dude: you can do stuff. Why not a quick sandwich to tide you over? Not a sin, just a grin. Silly power; but hey, you’re human. And your tummy is kissing your backbone.
We know the answer. (Oh, by the way: how do we know the answer? Or, indeed, the question? Only answer, if it ain’t invented: he told one or more of the disciples, at some point.) Answer: Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God. Humourless, but deep. Remember Nelson? Don’t need a cloak, my love for my country keeps me warm. Basic answer: willpower, arsehole. But on top of that: God’s Word is food, and that is not a metaphor.
Second temptation. (We don’t know the intervals.) Power. More silly power. Come on, lighten up, have some fun. Chuck yourself off this Temple roof, go on. Remember Psalm 91. The angel brigade is waiting with a net. It doesn’t give you anything, or produce anything, but it’d be fun, no? Wheeeeeeeee! Bungy-jumping sans the bungy. Only Meshiachs can do that. Tell me you’re not tempted.
We know the answer. You shall not tempt the Lord your God. Humourless, but deep. Shaitan, Adversary, your sense of humour is about as funny as a fart-cushion at a funeral. Being the Meshiach is serious. It’s the real thing. It’s about saving people from death, destruction and misery. God the Father is getting ready to put all His power into this experiment. I’m in deep training for the universe’s hardest job. And you come and prattle about bungy-jumping?
Now comes the biggie. OK, so it’s serious. Right, I can do serious. This time I’ll do a deal with you. I’ve been shut out for aeons. No power, nobody listens to me, all I’m allowed to do is test the odd Job here and there. You’re the Meshiach. You have the Boss’s ear. I’ll do a deal with you. You get Him to let me run the experiment, and you and I will do the job. We’ll finally run that world down there the way He wants it run: bloody humans will be good whether they want to or not; no more sin, no more idolatry, adultery, rape or driving under the influence. He’s the Boss, I’m the manager, you execute, with full powers.
And if I won’t? Well, let me put it this way. If you go for it, it will take you and me say a year. If you refuse, I will work against you every inch of the way and it will take five thousand years or longer. Like the gang bosses down there, I will make you rich or I will make you dead.
This is not silly power. This is real power. This is what every person wanting to do good efficiently in the world dreams of. The power finally to put a STOP to all the misery and evil, not drop by drop but NOW. In one swoop.
We know the answer. Worship the Lord, and serve him only. Oh, go away. You’re just in it for yourself. You know perfectly well that the Meshiach can only be responsible to the Father. No middleman, no vice-presidents, no manager. You are not needed, you’re a hindrance and finally you’re a bore. And you’re standing in my light. Out!
And Shaitan leaves, and Yeshua is left back at the cave, with night falling. Only one more day of the 40 is left. Then he will have to get on with it. Training over; you’re heading for the front. How did I do, Coach? You did fine, son. I’m proud of you. Get some rest. And remember, when you’re out there in the midst of it all, I’ll always be only a prayer away. You’ll never be alone. Sleep well.
Image: Moretto di Brescia (ca. 1520): Christ in the Wilderness
