Month: March 2025

Powerful words from one of my favorite theologians, Guy Sayles, here…

The Temptation to Deny Jesus – From The Intersection:

It would be a mistake to think that Jesus faced this temptation only once. It came to him over and over, as he decided, under the continuing pressures of opposition, misunderstanding, and violent threats, how to remain faithful, above all, to “the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). We live in a time when many followers of Jesus opt for authority and glory, power and celebrity, even though it means doing what Jesus never did: striking expedient compromises with evil. For us to resist such alluring bargains, we need the community of Jesus and his friends to put steel in our backbones and love in our hearts—to help us remember that only the God Jesus loved is worthy of our worship and obedience.

I have lots more to say on the topic of Jesus’ temptation “in the wilderness” and have heard so many bad sermons on this passage! Sayles post here is the opposite of that and well worth your time to read and reflect upon.