February 22, 2026 at Saint Peter the Apostle and Saint William Churches in Naples, FL
Genesis 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7 + Psalm 51+ Romans 5: 12-19 + Matthew 4: 1-11
The time Israel spent in Egypt was relived by the Holy Family’s time in Egypt, and the temptation story is an instant replay of Israel’s temptations in the desert. Now, Jesus relives their time in the desert, with one fundamental difference according to Matthew; while Israel had failed the tests, Jesus passed. While Israel turned to other gods, Jesus held fast to God alone. These temptations not only look back, but they also look ahead for they will be the temptations faced by all of us who will follow him.
In each of the trials, Jesus remains focused on God. This is a direct refusal to buy into the “What’s in it for me” attitude that easily pushes us far from the Kingdom of God. No matter what Satan offers him, Jesus stays focused on God. It would be great having as much bread as there are stones in the desert. It would be wonderful to feel safe enough to jump off that tower and know he would be safe and sound. Having all the fame and power in the world would be a dream come true. The question here is this: does he choose prosperity, satisfaction, safety, and power, or does he choose God? The kingdom of God is realized in those who, like Jesus, orient their lives toward God and not around the things God provides.
There is a subtle and important difference between celebrating the good gifts of God and turning them into idols. The ultimate temptation that is the sum of these three is to love the gifts more than the giver, and the surest test of this comes when the gifts are gone. If the giver of those gifts has been forgotten as the gifts become the most important thing, there is no evidence of the Kingdom of God. What usually happens when the gifts are gone is a terrible emptiness and loss because the giver of the gifts had long been replaced by the gifts themselves. We enjoy the gift of good health, and suddenly we get terribly sick and feel abandoned by God when the truth is God is the one abandoned. We enjoy security, power, safety and all it provides for us. If it falls apart those have made those gifts all they care about, are lost and helpless.
The temptation of Israel was to love the gifts of God more than the giver. We face the same temptation. We see it all the time. The wealthiest, most secure, and powerful nations are godless, lonely, and “what’s in it for me” is the question that drives every decision with never a thought about what might be God’s will. Somehow, the more we get, the less thought there is about God. I look at so many young people who have so much stuff and so little awareness who really provides it all. Their phones and toys, cars and sports, are more important than worship on Sunday. The golf course, games, and good life become more precious than the creator of it all.
We are living the temptation story. It was told of old Israel. It was told of the Son of Man, and it’s still being told to this day. We must remember that the Kingdom of God can only be realized with and by those who orient their lives toward God and not the things God provides.