The Gospel today is often termed “The Temptations of Jesus”. I have a problem with that because if you label it like that you are almost forced to label it as “the Tempter”. I would like to give the role of “The Tempter” a smaller roll as possible in this story. Especially when you consider the Biblical context. Daniel J Harrington SJ scholar points this out. Matthew is writing from the context of Deuteronomy. The people are led by God into the wilderness where they are tested for 40 years. The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness where Jesus is tested for 40 days and 40 nights.
The testing has this sense of discerning. Exposing. Whether the one being tested is worthy of the testing. There is a much deeper and finally nuanced meaning. The one leading the people and leading Jesus into the wilderness where the testing will take place desires that the love between them be brought to light and deepened and confirmed. In the case of the people, they are not up to it. They forget. They are unfaithful. In the case of Jesus, the new Israel always remembers who his Father is. He is always faithful. “Through Him. With Him and in Him” we can share in the fidelity with the convenant.
