INTRODUCTION
Every great composition of music uses a leitmotif consisting of a short melody or simple rhythm. A leitmotif (i.) binds a work into a coherent whole, (ii.) enables the composer to convey an overarching theme and (iii.) empowers the listener to understand and identify with a specific interpretation within a story. A close study of the temptation of Jesus in Luke 4:1-13, manifests such a leitmotif– a well-known theme that has significance and great implications for a believer’s discipleship today: Christ’s sonship in solidarity with humanity. The devil’s assault on humankind’s identity and mission started at the Garden of Eden, continued by testing the people of God in the wilderness, and in Luke’s account, is issued afresh against the Word made flesh, the Son of God who comes to redeem humanity.
In this paper, I will argue that Luke intentionally develops the leitmotif of “sonship”[1]as it relates to Christ’s solidarity with humanity in His (and our) relationship to God the Father. Luke uncovers the enemy’s purpose: to tempt Christ (as Adam was tempted) to attain by autonomy what is already His through submission, with the goal of bringing division between the Father and Son. Luke’s "sonship" leitmotif emphasizes how, as the second Adam and true Israel, Christ overcame the devil's challenges by submitting to His Father in contrast to the failure of Adam and the people of Israel in the wilderness. First, I will look at the context in which Luke places this passage and work out how “sonship” is the motif leading towards the temptations. Secondly, I will develop the significance of Christ’s solidarity with humanity through the connection to Adam and the people of God in the wilderness. My last argument will highlight the temptations themselves as a challenge of Christ’s relationship to the Father by promoting autonomy rather than submission.
Click HERE to download full text of Deschner's "Temptations of Jesus"
Nico Deschner is Lead Pastor of Via Apostolica in Regina, SK.
Footnotes
[1]“Sonship” in this paper primarily focuses on the relationship between God the Father and God the Son.
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