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Life: Baptism to Temptation
A.
BACKGROUND... ooops, I missed a week. So, we'll take a step back, and then two steps forward. From age 12 to 18 are Jesus' "missing years". Whether he stayed home, helping his carpenter-father, taking care of his family; or traveled to places of wisdom, we don't know. But when cousin John the Baptist called people to repentance and baptism Jesus knew that his moment had arrived.
C. SUMMARY: Jesus surprises John the Baptist by wanting to be baptized, and is. God's spirit affirms Jesus in the form of a dove, and a voice, praising Jesus as being ready. Then, Jesus goes into the wilderness for a 40 day fast during which he is "tempted" by the Devil three times. Being hungry, Jesus is tempted to bring forth food from the rocks. Then the Devil offers him the whole world if he'll just "take a knee", and bow. Finally, quoting scripture, the Devil tempts Jesus to jump off a high building to test the Bible's promise that God's angels would protect the Messiah. Jesus rejects each temptation, the Devil leaves, awaiting a more "opportune" time. Then angels look after Jesus.
1. What IS Baptism, then and now? John the Baptist preached a "Baptism of Repentance for the Forgiveness of Sins." People came to him, acknowledged their sins; and as a sign of their fresh start they entered the river where John immersed them. As time went on, baptism took on several meanings. One, we are "washed/cleansed of our sins", like water does to dirt. Two, we are buried in Christ (go down under the water) and raised with Christ (we stand after baptism). John and Jesus' baptism is called "Adult" or "Believer's Baptism" because it is done when a person is old enough to recognize their sin, own up to it, and decide to change (repent). Churches like ours baptize infants as a symbol of God's complete grace, epitomized by a baby who has no understanding of it at all. Infant baptism later gets linked with confirmation, which "confirms" that the hopes and promises of a Christlike life made in infancy are now taking root. In all instances, including Jesus', baptism is a mark of choosing to be on the right path. It is not salvation in itself. Classically, it is "an outward sign of an inward change" made real by the life lived going forward.
2.
TEMPTATION: then and now. For Jesus, going forward meant he is ready to begin his public ministry... almost. First, he goes on a "spiritual retreat". Or like a Native American "Vision quest". Or a "spiritual disciple". In all three a person "retreats" from daily life, routine activities and pleasures, in order to gain deeper spiritual insight.
Imagine. Forty days disconnected from everything, and doing nothing. No TV, internet, social media. No meals. No people. Just you, and whatever else seems there. We hope for a connection with God. Jesus got a persistent Devil, looking for a weak spot. The old saying is "everyone has a price". Offer the right temptation and anyone will give in. The Devil tried three times without success, then left to consider other ways to get to Jesus. To Jesus the Devil offered instant gratification (food from stones for a man who is really hungry); a short cut (give Jesus the world without having to be crucified for it); and a "rush" or "thrill" to prove his power (risk death and have angels save him). Jesus didn't bite. He stayed focused. Not because he was Divine but because he was focused. Our world is filled with fallen heroes, for whom the Devil found "an opportune time". Our job is to know our own weak spots, anticipate someone using that weakness against us, have a plan in advance.
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