How is the Temptation relevant to us today? Luke 4: 1-13

Luke 4: 1-13   Gospel reading for Sunday 21st February 2010

We seem to be hopping around a bit here with the readings. Last Sunday was the transfiguration account (Luke 9), but this week we are back in Luke 4 exploring the temptation of Jesus. From what I can gather, it is traditional to use the Transfiguration reading before we enter Lent and then hear the Temptation account on the first Sunday in Lent. There may be some biblical / theological scholars amongst our circulation list who could throw some light on that for us! (Feel free to post a comment.)

For most of us, the temptation account is probably a familiar story. It would be easy to become engrossed in an analysis of the temptation, including the lead up (Baptism of Jesus), the desert setting, being led by the Spirit and the three specific sections of the temptation. As an observation, which is something of an aside, it does seem that this is a rare occurrence of the words of Satan actually being quoted in Scripture. I can think of the Garden of Eden exchange, the conversation between God and Satan in Job … but are there any others apart from this significant three-part event?

As always though, I want to focus in this short space on what it means for us today as leaders in Lutheran Schools.

I can’t help thinking that we tend to down-play, ignore, maybe even  reject the work of Satan in our world. Whatever our view on this, it seems that temptations in various forms remain.

It is part of our natural instinct to want to "look good". Take NAPLAN for example: Is it tempting to “teach to the tests” so that we have a fully “green screen” MySchool web report, at the expense of throwing out what we believe about having students engage in quality teaching and learning experiences?

The second temptation of Jesus in our reading, strikes me as a case of everyday life for us in the 21st Century. There is a world full of temptations to distract us from true worship. Capitalism / consumerism / the “I want” mentality / obsessions with building the nest egg / trading up to the latest in cars, house, TVs, Ipods, phones, cameras, clothes.

For me the temptation reading is a reminder to us all to stay with the narrow, bumpy, winding, roller-coaster ride of modern day Christian life rather than getting sucked in to the cruise-control world of a multi-lane open country freeway. Further, if we are to maintain our integrity as Lutheran Schools, it is our duty to continually chip away at building a view of the world that is seen, appreciated and lived as if through the eyes of Jesus.
Nev