Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Psalm 90(91):1-2,10-15; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13

The passage of Deuteronomy follows a descriptions of laws and punishments. God is the God of Justice and demands accountability. However, God is also the God of Mercy. The punishment should not exceed the Laws of Moses.

When the Israelites cried out to God, God heard them and freed them from slavery. God’s actions were actions of justice. This justice should always be remembered. So, Moses instructs his people to bring their first fruits to God. It should not be forgotten that it was through God’s mercy that the Israelites were brought into a land of milk and honey.
God led the Israelites into the Promised Land, and they identify as the “Chosen People”.
The expression “sight of the Lord your God” is interesting as God would see any offering at any place. However, it seems to express the importance of doing things right. This would then please God – and there would be no reason to hide.

Psalm 90 contains many key words and phrases that are connected to the Gospel of the day: “God in whom I trust”, “Upon you no evil shall fall”, “commanded his angels”, “you strike your foot against a stone”, “he knows my name”. It seems to be a preparation of what is to follow.

In response to the creed of the “Chosen People”, Paul defines a special creed of the Christians. Paul points out that it is not only about crying out loud and asking God for help, but rather about a change of heart and belief in the Resurrection. The words of expressing the belief in Jesus Christ are important but equally important is the belief that God raised Jesus from the dead. When we recognise both and speak and act righteously in the name of our saviour, then we will be saved.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is alone, in an unhospitable area and without any distraction. The perfect place for meditation and reflection. As it was the Holy Spirit who led him there, Jesus would have trusted him.
However, it seems like Satan, the adversary, had been waiting for him. Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days – and he was tempted by Satan.
It was at the end of this time when we learn that Satan addresses Jesus. How do we know how the conversation went? Who else was there to report back to us?

When we look closer at what is said, we realise that Satan tests Jesus on the first and most important of the Ten Commandments to which Jesus quotes the First Commandment: “You must worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.”

Jesus is offered an easy way out when Satan suggested to ask God to order angels to come and to save him. While he could have done so, he was well aware that this was not the reason why the Holy Spirit had led him into the wilderness.
The words from Psalm 90 come to mind:  trusting God, being steadfast against evil, commanding God’s angels so that “They will hold you up on their hands in case you hurt your foot against a stone.”
Jesus did not fall into this trap, and so Satan leaves him alone – for now.

Overcoming a temptation is good, but there will always be more. So, we need to be prepared.

BM