"The Temptations"
by Rev. Christine
3/7/99

We have been in the season of Lent since February 17 and goes til Easter. Traditionally Lent is a period of time of preparing one’s consciousness for resurrection -- the eternal life. Symbolically people fast, giving up their old ways, in giving up foods or habits during this time. Metaphysically it is a time for mental fasting from habits of negative thinking and believing.

Last week we worked on releasing negative ties and forgiveness in preparing ourselves. Before one is ready to enter the higher states of consciousness, our holy temple must first be cleared out, and made ready to receive the Holy Spirit, the greater power.

Otherwise, our new knowledge will be defiled with the old ways of thinking and misuse. Jesus, told us that you cannot put new wine into old skins. The temptations of Jesus Christ represents this clearing out in preparing himself to serve God & mankind.

After the Baptism by John, Jesus went into the wilderness, after 40 days of fasting he was hungry, and then tempted by his adversary, Satan or the devil. The wilderness is a place in consciousness. It represents our multitude of undisciplined and uncultivated thoughts.

Jesus had gone to the wilderness to purify and overcome the lower aspects of his mind, and to strengthen his faith in God. The number 40 is a mystical number throughout the Bible representing a completed period of time. And, one is ready to begin another segment of their life.

Before we continue onward we are tested. Much like in school before we can graduate to the next level we must first prove our abilities. The adversary or devil represents our lower aspects — that part of us that gives power to the physical world, a belief in duality and separation, or ego.

Who was Jesus going to serve was the big question. Himself or God? Before a candidate is accepted for greater teaching and power one must first pass the three temptations of Body, Mind, and Soul. As we go up the spiral in consciousness these temptations are repeated — each time a little different and our adversary is more cunning.

It’s interesting that the first mention of temptation was that of Adam and Eve. They wanted to be like God (Self-aggrandizement). They went against the will of God and ate the forbidden fruit of the tree of Good and Evil. They heard the voice of God, and chose to disobey the will of God. They let their physical or lower desires over rule.

How many times have we heard that "still small voice within," ignored it, being over ruled by the reasoning mind, and then said "Why didn’t I listen? Life would have been so much easier." We know when we have been led astray, and we reap the results.

The first temptation of Jesus was of the body. Mark tells us that Christ was tempted with wild beasts, meaning thereby the desires. Also, the judging by outer appearances. But the beasts did not harm Him, as he radiated the purity of love. In Matthew & Luke we are told Jesus was tempted to change the rock to bread to appease his hunger. The bread that truly satisfies is of the spirit and knowledge of God. We are reminded that spiritual powers shall not be used for self-purpose, but for the good of others. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

The second temptation was of the Mind. Thoughts of ambition, pride, admiration and homage of the entire world by giving a demonstration of His ability. He responded with "thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Jesus rose to the temptation knowing his true calling is to minister and ease the suffering of the people -- not rule them or be worshiped by them.

The third temptation was of the Soul. Jesus was taken to an exceeding high mountain to which he was taken is to be understood as referring to a still higher spiritual realm than that of the Mental World. Here he looked upon all the kingdoms of the earth and the glory of them. The devil said, "All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Jesus, knew that the material world was a but faint replication of the true heaven on earth. That all these things shall pass away, but the true peace of heaven lasts forever. Christ came to bring peace on earth.

When Jesus completed the three tests he was ready to go out into the world to teach and serve mankind. Before true "Spiritual Power" comes in one must first cultivate their body, mind, and soul. Putting ego and desire in its rightful place, behind or subservient to the higher mind & Christ Self.

Jesus the Christ tells us that he came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. Through his overcoming of the temptations, Christ showed mankind how to rise above the Adam & Eve concept of a human being, to our true self of Spirit Being.

We today take this period of Lent to refine our own body, mind, and soul. Preparing our own Christ Self. But, remember we too shall be asked these very same questions. Who shall you serve?

There is a group of us committed to the 60 day non-human diet, created by John Randolph Price from his book "Spiritual Philosophy for the New World." Everyday, every hour, every minute we are committed to surrendering to the will of God; listening and obeying. We are committed to releasing all negative thoughts; anger, worry, fear. And, replace with Love and more love. When times get tough we give it back to God, and say, "This is non of my concern."

It isn’t always easy to stay true to our commitment as we face our world and the people in it. But, we are doing our best, and the best does get better as we persist along, and keeping to our daily practices of meditation, release and forgiveness, and giving all to God. The following is a meditation that is practiced daily.