Notes from Sunday's Bible Study

For those who missed today's study, or, a summarization for those who were there...

THE THEOLOGY OF THE CROSS

The texts:
Luke 3:21-4:13; Mark 1:9-13; Matthew 3:13-4:17

To fulfill all righteousness
Why was it necessary for Christ to be baptized? Christ said it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness. He was baptized a) to be like us in every way, b) that our sins, in Baptism, might be transferred to Him. Hence in this baptism, all sins are given to Him, fulfilling all righteousness. See Luther’s Flood Prayer in LSB pp. 268-269.

My Beloved Son
What is the importance of Jesus being declared God’s Beloved Son? In each of the temptations following, Satan tempts Jesus to doubt that God made this declaration regarding Jesus. Secondly, in other passages, such as the sacrifice of Isaac and Hebrews 12:3-11, demonstrate that it is the beloved son who endures the cross and suffering, and Christ is He who hung on the cross for our redemption.

Jesus and Israel / Adam
Numerous parallels between Jesus and Israel, as well as Jesus and Adam, exist in the Baptismal accounts. For instance, Jesus fasted in the wilderness 40 days and nights, Israel was in exile in the wilderness 40 years. Jesus fasted and was hungry, Israel complained in the wilderness constantly because of their hunger. Luke emphasizes the connection between Jesus and Adam. Hence, Luke places his genealogy between the Baptism and the temptation. Both Adam and Jesus are called the son of God. The first temptation involves eating, a temptation Adam failed in the Garden of Eden, but Christ overcame in the wilderness. See also Romans 5:12-21 for more on the parallels between Christ and Adam.

What does it matter that these parallels exist? They matter because Jesus is fulfilling all that was written about Him in the Law and Prophets (Old Testament). They matter because they demonstrate that where humanity was defeated by Satan, Christ by the Word of God overcomes.

The First Temptation
What is the first temptation about? a) If Jesus did turn the stones into bread, He would be taking up powers He willingly laid aside in order to redeem humanity. b) A temptation to doubt the Word of God at Jesus’ baptism, for Satan asks, “If you are the Son of God.” c) A temptation to doubt God’s testing of Jesus through temptation.

A crucial distinction: In class, I forgot to make the distinction between testing and tempting. God tempts no one, as we say in the meaning to the 6th petition. God however does test and discipline His children. Since Jesus was not a sinner and therefore not in need of discipline, God must have been testing Jesus. It was the Father’s will for Jesus to be tested. So also for His children through Baptism, that we be tested as is seen in the reading from Hebrews 12:3-11. This is ultimately a source of comfort and hope for us His children.

[In Deut. 8:1-6 we get some more of the background for the quote Jesus uses. ...]

The Second Temptation
Satan abuses the Scriptures in this temptation. Satan does know God’s Word. He knows God’s Word and by twisting God’s Word tempts Christians to doubt what God has said. Note again that Satan asks Jesus, “If you are the Son of God.” He tempts Jesus to doubt the proclamation of God as Jesus’ Baptism. In this way he also tempts us to doubt the gifts given to us, among which is adoption as God’s children, through Baptism.

Satan misinterprets the Psalm, tempting Jesus to interpret Psalm 91 as a theologian of glory might. In other words, Satan tempts Jesus to think, “Because I’m God’s Son, nothing bad should happen to me.” Christ uses the quotation against Satan, for Christ realizes that in the weakness and death on the cross, God brings the salvation promised in Psalm 91, a salvation that brings eternal life in the shelter of the Almighty.

The Third Temptation
Satan tempts Jesus to a) take what Satan has not right to give. In the same way Satan tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, to take what Satan had no right to give. b) This temptation is also an implicit denial of the Word of God spoken at Jesus’ Baptism. Satan says, “All this I will give you.” In truth, all of it already belongs to Jesus, for Jesus is both God and Man. He is the second person of the Trinity. c) Finally all worship belongs to God alone, and no created being is worthy of worship.

In the end, one can see all three temptations are temptations to a) doubt the Word of God spoken over His children at their Baptism, b) have other gods rather than the one saving redeeming God, who is revealed in Christ Jesus, c) temptations for Jesus to take up His divine power He willingly laid aside during His humiliation in order that He might redeem humanity.

Jesus, Just an Example?
Does Christ’s example overcoming of these temptations give us just a good example of how to overcome temptation or do they serve another purpose too? Jesus is a good example. Quoting Scripture back to Satan is how Jesus overcomes Him and so we also should follow His example as best we are able. Ultimately we are incapable of such a feat. We cannot know enough Scripture to always turn aside every temptation Satan throws our way. We cannot overcome every temptation. Thus Jesus is more than just a good example. He is the one who stands where sinners stood, in the waters of Baptism, and now conquers every temptation thrown at Him. He is the conqueror and vanquisher of Satan. This is why the temptations are included for our learning.

What Does This Have to Do with the Theology of the Cross?
The Bible class for today may have seemed like a wild adventure off the topic of the theology of the cross. The theology of the cross is intimately tied to Baptism and subsequently to the suffering born under the cross, which includes temptations, testing, discipline and more. Baptism places the Christian in opposition to the Satan, the world and the sinful flesh. Baptism is entry gate in the difficult life of the Christian. It also demonstrates that Christ, the Son of God, still underwent the trials and temptations we face today. He is like us in every way, except without sin. This then is a source of comfort for us, that in the weakness of suffering found under the cross, God works in us to accomplish His purpose. Our claim to victory: the name placed upon us at Baptism, “Father, Son and Holy Ghost,” thereby making us heirs unto eternal life.