This Sunday, Jesus demonstrates the power of obedience and humility. The Holy Spirit led Him to the desert to be tempted (Matthew 4:1). Israel was called but failed to persevere the temptations of the desert; Jesus had to undo this knot of disobedience in the desert.
Notice that Satan, the prideful fool, took Jesus ever higher to tempt Him after the first attempt failed: “the pinnacle of the temple” (4:5), “a very high mountain” (4:8). Satan took Jesus to great heights but ultimately wanted to place himself above the Son of God: “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me” (4:9).
The wicked and powerful in our world seem to have the upper hand at times. It seems impossible to wrestle with evil and darkness, especially when we are so small and weak. But it’s precisely through Christ’s humility and obedience to God that evil is vanquished. Jean-Pierre Caussade wrote in the classic Abandonment to Divine Providence: “The history of the world from the beginning is but the history of the struggle between the powers of the world, and the powers of hell, against the souls which are humbly devoted to the divine action. In this struggle all the advantage seems to be on the side of pride, yet the victory always remains with humility.”
It seems like a paradox: to be victorious we must submit ourselves to God’s power. Our faithfulness, obedience, and humility are in fact the source of our power.
This week’s Gospel passage makes me reflect on the places in my life where I want to go higher without the Holy Spirit leading me. How can I allow Jesus to help me grow in humility and obedience? Also, it causes me to contemplate my powerlessness and consider how Jesus’s strength is made perfect in my weakness (cf 2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Am I confident that God will defend me and bring me to victory with Him? Or does my own pride cause me to trust in myself instead of letting God do this work in me?
Jesus, as Lent begins, teach me to trust in You. Help me let go of my prideful views and habits. May I diminish and so allow You to increase in me (cf John 3:30).