Have you ever tried to make a deal with Jesus? The net of my old God negotiation style was “If you give me what I want, I will do what you want.” Maybe you have tried the same thing with your spouse or friends. We all get tempted to expect something in return for favors we might do. God must want us to watch out for exchange-type “deal-making” because it is the first thing we hear about at the beginning of Jesus’s ministry. The devil promises Jesus everything He sees, but if we think about it, isn’t Jesus about giving, not receiving? This scene reminds us that gifts from God mean we must trust God without expectation or obligation. Praise you Lord, for all you have unconditionally given and done for us.
Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness by James Tissot.
The full-resolution painting and more details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Matthew 4:1-11 – Scripture*
The Temptation of Jesus
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 4:1-11 Reflection – Trust God without Expectation.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 4 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.