Luke 4:1-13 Power Corrupts, and Absolute Power...

Luke 4:1-13

[1] Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was
led by the Spirit in the wilderness, [2] where for forty days he was
tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when
they were over, he was famished. [3] The devil said to him, "If you are
the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." [4] Jesus
answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"

[5] Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the
kingdoms of the world. [6] And the devil said to him, "To you I will
give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over
to me, and I give it to anyone I please. [7] If you, then, will worship
me, it will all be yours." [8] Jesus answered him, "It is written,
'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"

[9] Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the
pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God,
throw yourself down from here, [10] for it is written, 'He will
command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' [11] and 'On their
hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot
against a stone.'" [12] Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put
the Lord your God to the test.'" [13] When the devil had finished every
test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

What is happening in this scripture? – Scholars today generally agree that Luke was written by a companion of Paul, who might have been a physician, who also wrote Acts, likely as one writing, Luke-Acts, and that he was likely writing to a largely Hellenistic rather than Jewish audience, or as the Bible puts it, to Gentiles. Michael White of the Divinity School in Austin Texas sees Luke as an apologetic, as a way to say to the Romans, “We’re okay. We can be good Romans too.” Jesus scholar Dominic Crossan theorizes that Jesus emphasized the Kingdom of God in contrast to the divinity and kingdom of Caesar, and that was a religious-political heresy and why Rome put him to death.
In this scripture, Jesus, right after being baptized and “ordained” or blessed by the Holy Spirt’s descent upon him, is led by that same spirit into the wilderness. He is tempted for forty days by “the devil” and eats nothing in that time. The devil challenges Jesus to turn stones into bread, “If you are the son of God”. (Caesar was called Son of God in those days). The devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and tells him he will give him their glory and authority, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. (Caesar was the ruler of the Roman Empire and of many conquered kingdoms).
Then the devil takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem itself, and challenges Jesus to throw himself off the temple so that all will see God save and protect him, thereby proving his divinity. (A perfectly reasonable request for a First Century way of looking at divinity). Jesus tells the devil Do not put the Lord, YOUR GOD to the test. Then the devil leaves, until an opportune time.
To me, Luke makes the point that the ruler of the Roman empire, hence the earthly powers, try three times to express the normally agreed upon definition of Ruler, God, divinity, etc. in Caesaric context: The one who controls the food, the government and even the religious institutions of the day is the one who wins. That is what Rome understood, what most people of the day understood, and I venture to day what we understand in our day. Who’s the boss? The one who controls the economy, the governmental authority, and the one who calls the religious (and in Jesus’ day, political) shots is the boss.
Luke’s Jesus tells the devil over and over, you’re not in charge, God is. The devil withdraws, but he will be back.

How is this happening in the world today? – Ask yourself, who’s in charge today? Who makes the rules? Who tells you what you can and cannot do? Who seizes the world and calls it their own? Who seizes power and uses it for their selfish gain? These are the powers and principalities are they not? As Jesus said, “Whose picture is on that coin? Give that coin back to Caesar, and give God what belongs to God.” Who sits on the highest ledge of our temples, claiming God is on their side? These are radical questions asked by a radical man, a man called Jesus. Many didn’t like the questions, especially those in power, and they killed him for asking them.

How is this story my story? – What temptations drive me into the wilderness Lord? How does the inviting promise of glory and gain tempt me to follow along with the powers and principalities of my day? What does this do to my relationship with you Lord? What do I gain, and what do I lose? If I follow you Lord, what temptations must I refuse?
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