They year is around AD 30; the place Judea, just north of Jerusalem. Covid 19 has affected all our minds i9n all kinds of different ways. But, there in the “wilderness” of Judea (like the “wilderness” of our present world in many ways) John’s message was that all his hearers needed a mind-change. And he gave them the immediate reason: the man bringing to this world the kingdom of heaven was “at hand” – nearby.
What about this man? What about this Jesus?
Mathew, Jesus’ eye-witness first-century biographer, records that this man was subjected to testing – to being proved. Was he different from other human beings? Different in key resects? Different in “mind”?
This was the first test.
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Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the destructive one. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tester came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
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In the circumstances described I personally have no doubt that I would have rationalized the situation in my “mind” and, if I had had the power, would have provided myself with bread. My desires are paramount. Are yours? In short, I’ve got to live.
Now comes the second test.
Then the destructive one took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said 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, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
I hate heights. If I was, indeed, the “Son of God” why on earth would I not demonstrate to all around the protection which my Father above had given to me? Why not make it abundantly clear that I am a heavenly celebrity? A clear success from beginning to end? In short, if you’ve got it flaunt it.
Finally, the third test – the big one.
Again, the destructive one took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Adversary! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” Then the destructive one left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
Well, well, well. A house and land very near where I live in Jersey is on sale for £32,000,000. If only I could get that … Actually, my problem is that, on the face of it, what I desire most is what most keeps me away from ever wishing to find out more about God the Father and his Son, Jesus.
Even little things, like a girl-friend, can keep me in a position where I’m actually, by default, paying allegiance to the “Adversary”.
So, yes, I need a mind-change.
John the Baptist was then arrested and imprisoned. Immediately after Matthew records -
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