Ed, my neighbor next door, is unusually upbeat this January. Returning from Mexico a few days after New Year's, Ed was soon greeted with the joyous news that the NHL is about to come to life for a shortened season. "Canada will soon have big league hockey again and the world is back on a right course," Ed has been saying.
According to Ed, now that I'm retired with lots of time and money, I should take him to an NHL game in Winnipeg, or Calgary if I prefer. I can drive us because Ed likes to sightsee and talk and driving interferes with these two of his favourite activities in a car. Long car-rides also make him hungry and it's hard to snack and drive and not get the steering wheel either sticky or greasy. I told Ed I would chauffer him to either city for a price. He pays for the cost of the gas and both of our tickets into the game. I also offered to give him a bottle of water and a good supply of junk food for our trip. I think that I have offered Ed an outstanding deal, but we are in a deadlock. I would be willing to negotiate a deal with Ed about our NHL excursion, but it seems Ed isn't ready to return to any talks soon. The way I see it, time is on my side, as I have lots of it now and Ed doesn't.
Deadlocks seem pretty common in life. Each side has an expressed position and neither side is open to compromise or a change in their position. Deadlocks are standstills, or standoffs, as the opposed forces won't budge.
The deadlock Jesus had with Satan went from standstill to breakthrough and victory for Jesus. Their standoff was played out in the desert. Thankfully, Jesus could outtalk and outsmart the devil for the victory of good over evil. Sadly, the devil can all too often shoot the rest us down with temptations, for the victory of evil over good.
The first temptation by Satan challenged a starving Jesus to turn stones into bread if he was the Son of God. Although Jesus had the power and authority of God, he never used it to show off. If we know who we are, we need not be tempted to prove it to others. Jesus told the tempter, "Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Next, the tempter took Jesus to a high point of the temple and told him to jump off if he was the Son of God, for angels would catch him or keep him from harm. Jesus, as the Son of God, refused to prove it to Satan. He told the devil, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."
Finally, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms and their splendour. He said that it can all be yours if you will bow down and worship me. Jesus answered, "Away from me Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." Thankfully, with God, good overcomes evil.
