The authors of the Synoptic Gospels in the Bible all describe the event of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness before his public ministry, with Matthew particularly emphasizing, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” This marks a clear sequence between ‘being tempted in the wilderness’ and ‘proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom of God’.

There is a natural order in all things, especially important matters, where a misstep can disrupt the entire endeavor. So, what was the ‘great task’ Jesus set out to accomplish?

According to one theologian, the three temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness pertained to ‘economic power’, ‘political power’, and ‘religious power’. These temptations, to turn stones into bread, to gain all the kingdoms of the world, and to throw himself down from the temple, were attempts to corrupt Jesus with these three forms of power.

These temptations aimed to undermine the very foundation of the ‘Kingdom of God movement’ Jesus was about to initiate. The fatal temptations were essentially, “Accomplish the kingdom of God through money!”, “Establish it through political force!”, and “Establish it through religious power!”.

It is crucial to note that Jesus firmly rejected all these temptations using the words from Deuteronomy:

“Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”

“Fear the LORD your God, serve him only.”

“Do not put the LORD your God to the test.“

This reveals Jesus’ fundamental decision on how to establish the Kingdom of God:

1. The Kingdom of God must be achieved not through economic power but through God’s word.

2. It must be accomplished not by serving political powers but by serving only the one true God.

3. It must be realized not through religious authority but through a true human life that does not test God.

While economics, politics, and religion are important, if the means and ends are confused, the core and order of establishing God’s Kingdom may be compromised.

Yet, despite misunderstandings and distortions from many, and even missteps from his disciples, Jesus steadfastly adhered to the spirit of his decision in the wilderness and moved forward, culminating in his death on the cross. The decision of the Kingdom of God seen in Jesus’ wilderness temptation was fully realized through his death on the cross.

And as he faced a tragic death, all those who sought to establish the Kingdom of God through economic, political, or religious power turned their backs, spitting and walking away with mockery and insult, “He saved others; he cannot save himself… let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.“

But before them, Jesus quietly breathed his last, saying, “It is finished.”

Today, as deceivers have entered “into the church.”

It’s time to tighten our robes anew in the face of Jesus’ noble decision for the Kingdom of God.