JESUS’ TEMPTATIONS NARRATIVE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY’S CHRISTIANITY: A THEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION

Abstract

Jesus’temptations narrative constitutes a foundational tenet within the Christian doctrines, elucidating Jesus’ ordeal in the wilderness, where the devil gravely enticed him to exploit his divine status as the son of God in fulfilling the messianic expectations of his people for self-serving purposes. From earliest Christianity, this narrative has been a subject of theological interpretations, whose lessons still hold relevance to today’s Christianity in the light of the excessive and unruly passion for wealth, fame and power that characterized contemporary society. Using a narrative-descriptive and analytical method, the study critically examines the temptation narrative in the context of its existential demands and implications for today’s Christianity. It highlights the humans’ daily moral trials and presents Jesus’ disposition in the trials as a model for resolutions of ethical challenges and obedience to God. KEYWORDS: Jesus. Son of God. Temptations. Christianity. Theological Interpre­tation.