“The Tempter came to him saying, ‘If you’re the son of God, speak to these here stones so that they will become bread” (Matthew 4.3).
What’s wrong with making bread? It’s not like there’s a shortage of stones.
No doubt, the idea held a temptation. The very mention of bread probably sent Jesus’ stomach growling. But we miss something if we see transforming rocks into food as a means for Jesus to satisfy his own hunger, at least his physical hunger.
In the two temptations that follow this one, the focus is bigger. Throw yourself off the Temple for everyone to see the angels rescue you. Bow down and rule the world. The outcome of the action is worldwide recognition. It is a means to fulfilling Jesus’ deep desire to be heard, for his message of love, peace, and hope to reach everyone.
This temptation is no different. It may well have the purest of motivations of the three. What’s wrong, after all, with using the power you have to feed the hungry? How better to subvert the powers of the world that will sacrifice others for the wealth and comfort of a few than to turn the rocks at the roadside into food for whoever needs it?
And it would give your message teeth. Imagine how many people would be your followers.
Imagine neighbor telling neighbor and family speaking to family spreading the news that there is someone who can feed them even though they haven’t got a dime to their name. They’d come from miles around to see him, to taste this bread created from the rocks beneath their feet.
But that’s the problem, isn’t it? Yes, the word that moves from person to person is about something new and amazing happening, but it’s not about God living as one of us to show us that we’re in this together—this project of redeeming creation—is it? No, it’s just about bread. It’s about someone who can feed us, satisfy our daily need. And as long as he keeps doing that, we’re right with him.
Physically hungry, Jesus’ defenses were down, certainly. But the Tempter knew something else, that talking bread and sustenance when Jesus was acutely aware of what it meant to have nothing to eat would get him thinking about the millions who spend every day feeling that emptiness in their bellies. And how they would come to hear him when he knew he’d feed them.
But would they? It’s no wonder that Jesus responds that humans aren’t meant to live by bread alone, by just a satisfaction of physical need. Sure, they would come, and they would adore, but would they love the person who made the bread or the bread itself? Because if it’s the latter, well, you better never stop feeding them or they will go and find someone else who will.
And, as Jesus knew, there aren’t stones enough in this world to keep feeding people forever.
Wilderness Wanderer, feed us with the bread of your love and satisfy our longing.