Monday, February 27, 2012

"By this I know you are pleased with me, that my enemy does not triumph over me.  In my integrity you hold me fast, and shall set me before your face for ever." (Ps 41:11-12)

I often wonder what was going on in the mind of Jesus.  How much did he know and understand when he was a twelve-year old boy in the temple?  Did he know what was going to happen as he walked down to the banks of the Jordan River?  Was he amazed or frightened to hear the voice from heaven when he came up out of the water? 'You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.'  How did that make him feel? Another person might have stuck around and basked in the glow of all the attention, but the Spirit would not allow it.  This Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, because these words from heaven were not a compliment; they were a call.

In a similar way, Joseph is called through his dreams.  While he may have had a notion that God was very pleased with him, there was no saving work in his future without first going through the pit and the prison – the jealousy and the rage.  In the end, it is his integrity that he is rewarded for.  And look at Paul.  People are bragging about being baptized by him; another person would have been flattered!  But that would ruin everything.  He understands that it is not his place to outshine the Christ. “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.”

It seems that, whenever there is a call there is also an opportunity for temptation – an adversary, an enemy, a deceiver to contend with.  It may be pride, jealousy, flattery or contempt.  Jesus shows us how to be strong in the face of these temptations.  At the end of the forty days, I imagine it is not the words from heaven, but his victory in the desert that prepares him for the years to come.  “By this I know you are pleased with me, that my enemy did not triumph over me.  In my integrity you held me fast, and set me before your face for ever.”

I love this video/cartoon of Jesus in the desert.  Rich shared it last year.  Here it is again in case you haven’t seen it or just want to see it again! Click Here!

(Sue B)