Test, trial, and temptation are words that are sometimes considered synonymous.
In life, we all experience trials, tests, and temptations. These either make us stronger or put us down, but without these, our life will be like that of a robot or an angel.
Let us understand these words better in the life of Jesus while we give selflessly, sincerely fast and abstain from harmful thoughts, harmful lifestyles, harmful deeds, pray unceasingly and listen to God for 40 days and 40 nights.
Test is more of an examination. A school requires regular tests to determine whether learnings were understood.
In life, we are tested to know that we are learning as we grow older. We earn degrees to help ourselves and others transcend higher but not to put people down or discredit God in our successes. Our faithfulness can be tested too. We see the test of Abraham in Genesis 22:1-2.
God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham! Take your only son Isaac and go to Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
Temptation is the work of the devil. In Luke 4:1-13, Jesus ate nothing for several days. Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.”
The devil led him to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” throw yourself down from here. For it is written, He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test. When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.’
Before Jesus’ triumphant entry to Jerusalem, he was again tempted by the devil. We ponder on Matthew 16.
From that time Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Jesus underwent trials too. He was accused of religious offense and He was brought to the governor for trial. We ponder on Matthew 27: 1-2.The chief priests and the elders made their plans against Jesus to put him to death.They put him in chains, led him off and handed him over to Pilate, the Roman governor.
Pilate asked Jesus “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus answered “So you say”, but he said nothing in response to the accusations of the chief priests and elders, which surprised Pilate.
We can be tested for our faithfulness. We can be tried for accusations. We can be tempted by the allurements of the world but if we are founded on God, we can overcome them all. Reach me at [email protected].
We pray for the healing of Rev. Fr. Michael Tokoyen, Shane Tactay, Karen Lumiwes, Rose Changlapen, Caroline, and Helen Castañeda.
We pray for the eternal repose of Roque Bernardez, Carino Tamang, and Allen Mingeb Patingan.
