Needs and Its Fulfillment
Introduction
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Lent is the time of prayer, fasting and arms
giving. We are in our Lenten observance – that lasts for 40 days.
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Fasting is not new with Jesus. Long fasting is
mentioned in the life of Moses and of Prophet Elijah. What makes Jesus’ fasting
unique is the event that took place at the end of fasting – the temptation.
Content
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Temptations begin with a need. Satan brings to
the awareness of Jesus, a need, in each temptation.
o
In the first temptation, it was the awareness of
‘hunger’.
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Jesus was hungry after 40 days of fasting.
o
In the second temptation, it was the hunger of
Jesus to ‘establish the Kingdom of God’.
§
Jesus’ aim was to establish the Kingdom of God
on each. That was there in the inner mind of Jesus always. That was the reason
why Jesus came to this world.
o
In the third temptation, it is the need of ‘recognition
as messiah and savior’.
§
Jesus asked his disciples, ‘who do you say that I
am?’. It was need for him to be recognized by the people, the real nature of
Jesus – Messiah.
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[At this present time there are many people who
create needs in us. They are mainly and advertizing companies. But they are not
Satan. They just do their business.
o
For example - the shampoo advertisement convince
you that you have a bad hair and you should strive for a smooth hair.]
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Satan not only makes Jesus aware of the needs,
but also gives Jesus solutions to fulfill the needs.
o
The solutions were;
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In the first temptation – ‘change these stones
to bread’.
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In the second temptation – ‘you adore me’.
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In the third temptation – ‘you jump from the top
of the temple’.
o
But Jesus never accepted the solutions put forth
by Satan.
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Adam and Eve were given the solution by Satan
and they accepted the solution and ate the fruit forbidden by God. Thus they
sinned again God.
o
Jesus had his own unique ways to satisfy his
needs.
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Satisfy the Hunger – by doing the will of God
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Establish the Kingdom of God – by loving and
forgiving
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Getting acceptance as Messiah – by his suffering
and cross.
Conclusion
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In this Lenten season, let us think about
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Our needs of life.
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Some of our needs are
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money
·
Love
·
Recognition in the society.
o
Our ways to satisfy those needs.
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If you go for plunder, bribery and exploitation
to make money, we follow the path shown by Satan.
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If you go for somebody else apart from your life
partner and family to get the love and pleasures, you are following the way
shown by Satan.
§
If you try to get recognition by compelling or
threatening others by using your power, then that is not the way of God.
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Let us always follow the path of God that is
shown by Jesus – the way of suffering and cross to reach the glory or
resurrection.
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