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What image comes to your mind with the word temptation? You may picture commercials where a woman, dressed provocatively and moving with confidence, draws everyone’s attention as she uses a product, luring others with her aura. In these messages, the word “temptation” is used to suggest that you can gain the power to make others want you.

In our modern society, power is measured not only by your ability to get what you want, but also by how much others want you. Living in a culture where “want” and “being wanted” matter so much, the notion of temptation has become an invitation to endless desire. Is this really all there is to be human, to be happy?

Many wise people in our society challenge these trends by choosing a way of simply being. Scriptures as well teach us what we should seek and in which direction we should walk.

The theme of temptation appears very early in the book of Genesis. The clearest scene is the serpent’s temptation of Adam and Eve. It begins by undermining God’s word with the question, “Has God indeed said…?” We know this is not an honest question, but an attempt to plant a seed of doubt in our trust in God’s goodness. As trust loosens, other thoughts easily creep in. “Perhaps there is another reason God forbids this fruit, perhaps I can gain wisdom and be like God.”

Another scene is the story of the Tower of Babel. After the flood, humanity begins to flourish again. As they settle on the plain of Shinar, they plan to build a tower so that their name will be great, and secure power over the earth. We can easily recognize ourselves here. Aren’t we all striving for more knowledge and more control? In many ways, that is how human culture has developed.

Then how can an act of pursuing knowledge and control be sin or temptation? Maybe we can find the answer from the passages of today’s gospel. Today’s gospel follows Matthew’s Gospel chapter 3. At the end of Chapter 3, Jesus goes to John the Baptist and asks for a baptism. And as Jesus was coming out of water, the Spirit of God descended like a dove, and a voice from Heaven said “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.”

Immediately, in Chapter 4, the same Spirit that proclaimed Jesus as God’s beloved Son led Jesus into the wilderness. It is ironic that his announced identity is tested right away in the wilderness. In a setting where Jesus cannot rely on anything, he is tempted to show what it means by God’s beloved son. How do we know Jesus is the son of God? Also what is Jesus bringing to us as the son of God?

In the Korean novel, Son of Man written by Lee Moon Yeol, a figure named Ahasuerus wrestles with the world’s suffering. Interestingly, in this reimagined story, Ahasuerus replaces the devil’s voice. He consistently challenges Jesus at different scenes, the highlight of this confrontation happens when Jesus was in the wilderness. Ahasuerus urges with a vision.

If Jesus is truly God’s beloved Son and the world’s savior, He must bring Bread to feed the hungry, miracles to solve their problems, and authority to guide them. His logic seems reasonable, practical, even compassionate. But Jesus rejects it, and at the end, he chooses the cross instead.

This vision was a common expectation among Jesus’ followers too. They hoped Jesus would bring the Kingdom of God where there is no more suffering, no more injustice, where all their needs are met.

We sometimes wish the same; for God to intervene and fix our broken world. Yet, Jesus instead of using his power and authority to reshape the world as many anticipated, He himself chose to suffer and die among us.

Going back to the theme of temptation, Jesus could have made himself invincible and save the world on his terms. Like we often think, can’t a noble cause justify any means? If knowledge and power bring more benefits to many others, what is the harm? But Jesus did not. Of course, he fed the hungry, healed the sick, proclaimed God’s message with authority, but at the end, he chose such a disappointing and despairing path, as we all know.

Then what was his goal? As we reflect on today’s Gospel, it reveals to us that Jesus chose to remain in God. As God’s beloved Son, he knew the Father poured out unconditional love for him,

And he chose to remain in trust in God no matter what. He chose to remain in mercy for the sinners no matter what. In this light, the goal of Jesus mission was not just a safe haven of comfort and security, an invitation for us to deepen our relationship. As the Son of God, he responded to God with unfailing trust, and as the son of man, he showed us that true salvation is not the absence of problems, but abiding in love.

As we enter the First Sunday of Lent, this challenges our Lenten practices as we know, we are called to do more charity, more prayer during Lent. Of course, that is already demanding in our overwhelming lives. However, Jesus is sending us a message that the true gift of God for us is more than living a good moral life. Jesus invites us to an ever-growing relationship with God and through God.

Yet, we all know that it is not that easy. When there is evidence of God’s protection and caring love, we can trust God. But even faithful Christians who carry gratitude in their heart can easily fall into doubt and despair when there is no sign. In the same light, when we have enough, we can help others. But even good Christians who live in generosity can easily close the door when there is not enough for themselves.

However, as Jesus has shown, sometimes, when there is little hope found in our lives, when we struggle with scarcity, we have opportunity to grow deeper and wider in our relationship with God and with one another. Like Job in the midst of misfortune, like the widow in the midst of turmoil,

When we have all the reasons to turn away from God, turn away from others, if we can still hold onto God, believing God will never abandon his beloved children, if we can still have the heart to feel the pain of others, reach out to them as their brothers and sisters.

We grow in love, we are born anew in love, and we shine with love amid hatred and indifference.

I believe that is the true gift of God, which will last forever. We as ordinary people with good conscience may not be tempted to do evil things. But we are tempted to stay in our comfort zone.

And Jesus is inviting us to step outside. Go out into the wilderness, where we do not know, where we do not have control, put your trust in God, reach out to others no matter what.

As we take a step on this unknown path, we will be guided by the Spirit.

Let us pray.

Loving God, You led your Son into the wilderness to face temptation and emerge faithful. Guide us this Lent as we confront our own desires and doubts. Strengthen our trust in your unconditional love, help us remain in you amid scarcity and trial and teach us to love others as you love us. Through Jesus Christ, our wilderness companion.

Amen