Lord, Throughout These Forty Days...21

At the baptism of Jesus, the Spirit settled on Him in the form of a dove. At the baptism of Jesus, the Father's voice declares who Jesus is -- the One-and-Only, the Beloved, the Well-Pleasing Son. The Spirit then leads this Son into the wilderness of testing.

"...with Him I am well pleased."

God the Father affirms the Son. What He does and who He is pleases the Father. This positive affirmation supports the life and ministry of Jesus. From heaven, God shouts for all to hear, "That a boy!"

The tempter calls into question the affirmation on Jesus life and ministry. He displays the splendor of the kingdoms of the world of men as they look from a high place. Then he insinuates God has placed these things in his control. "...it has been given to me and I can give it to anyone I want to." What a boon of power. What control. What seeming affirmation.

Why would God allow the tempter such control, such splendor, such power? Why not grant these to the Son? What is at work here? If the Son who comes to save the world of men pleases the Father, why was the authority and splendor of the world of men given to another?

Then the devil offers Jesus a trade. He will bestow all of this authority and splendor on Jesus. "If you worship me, it will all be yours." The tempter offers not just authority and splendor, he offers to affirm Him as worthy of such rare and powerful gifts. He seeks to replace the Father.

As with the First Parents, Jesus can see the pleasing nature of the tempter's offer. The well-pleasing title might be replaced by the pleasing splendor of the world's kingdoms. The devil asks for completion of a simple, painless task, while the Father asks for the completion of a difficult, pain-filled one. Might not this exchange save the world and deliver it from Satan's tyranny? The Trinity had set in motion another exchange plan for just that purpose.

Jesus repells the tempter by quoting, "Worship the Lord, your God and serve Him only." Again the Son echos the Father's claim on Him. He is MY God and I am His. He came to do the Father's will and continues on that mission here in the wilderness. Jesus will serve the Father, seek his approval only.

On the mountain of Transfiguration, the Voice will pronounce Him still well pleasing. Peter will declare on Pentecost that "Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs...God has made this man...both Lord and Messiah." He lives and ministers with the seal of God's approval -- the same Spirit that seals us.

We too must only seek to please the Father. Peter and John decided they would rather please God than man. Paul chose God's approval rather than that of the circumcision group. God's "well done, good and faithful servant" awaits all who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, work as unto the Lord and do all that we do to the glory of God alone just as our Faithful Guide did even in the wilderness.