It Is Written . . .

But the Bible is also the work of sinful and fallible human beings who sins had to be constantly rebuked and whose misunderstandings had to be corrected.  The very heart of the Bible is in this long, patient wrestling of God with a sinful and fallible people
-  Lesslie Newbigin

Jesus hears a voice from heaven at his baptism and then the Spirit of God leads him into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. Ironically, it is the Devil who quotes scripture first while Jesus replies each time, using the ancient Jewish  phrase, ‘It is written . . . ‘ Matthew 4:1-11 is this spectacular showdown between God’s Messiah and God’s adversary the Devil. Notice that even the Devil can quote scripture or has parts of scripture memorized. The Devil wants Jesus to betray his mission and abandon his humanity. It’s like this cosmic battle between Jesus like we saw in the beginning with the first Adam but this second Adam triumphs.   

          Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola refer to Jesus temptation s a ‘replay of the first temptation in the garden.’1 We all have to contend with the enemy and darkness. I John 2:16 reveals a parallelism here with Jesus and the garden temptations.

The fruit was ‘good for food’ = the lust of the flesh

The fruit was’ pleasant to the eyes’ = the lust of the eyes
The fruit was ‘desirable to make one wise’ = the pride of life

So we see also with Jesus “turn these stones to bread’ = the lust of the flesh

‘I will give you the kingdoms of the world and their glory’ = the lust of the eyes
‘Cast yourself down from here and the angels will protect you = the pride of life (pp.125-126)

Jesus quotes the words of Moses because he is now re-enacting the story of Israel in his life. Even someone who claims to be one of Jesus disciples like Peter can enter into the role of Satan in sidetracking Jesus identity and mission for the world. 

If Jesus was tested, so you will also be tested. Notice 1 John 4:1, ‘test the spirits to see whether they are from God or not? Notice the Bible or the completed canon of scripture is not listed at all among the criteria that John gives. He speaks of things like the love test, the confession of your sins test, do not love the world but love one another tests. It is not that the Bible is not important or can be used as a witness in testing certain things in life but the most important tests are being filled with the Spirit of Christ and love and serving others as he did.