The Real Temptation

Temptations in the Wilderness?

Frankly--I have just never, ever envisioned the temptation as an arm wrestling match--especially where Hollywood casts the characters above.  Was it really the strength of Satan pitted against Jesus/  Or was it more the wrestling that went on in Jesus to prepare for his public ministry? Scripture is clear that Jesus meets and evil one, "the devil" or "Satan" in the wilderness.  I envision the temptation as within Jesus himself as he had to confront who he really was as the Son.  Would he be his own self or be the Son living his life for the Father? 

The Temptations of the Wilderness...

This may be too much of a play on words--but I am trying to say that the temptation was more the wilderness, of being alone with himself and confronting his own devil that wanted him to be free of the Father.  Once he emerges from the wilderness, he is convicted to carry out his life as the Son living toward the Father all the way to the Cross. 

We each have a journey to make -- the journey of a soul, a life that moves from cradle to grave.  In so doing, we cross the wilderness of our own lives.  We confront fears, challenges and ultimately the choice, that one choice for whom we will live.  The temptation is always there to be far less than how God created us--and that happens when we live our lives toward something or one who cannot be our God.