"He actually cares for these Earth people." That's General Zod's revelation that changes his strategy to battle Superman. From there, he and his two minions wreak havoc not on Superman the person, but on the people he cared for. While two of the bad guys prepare to throw a bus full of Earth people, my favorite super hero exclaims, "The people!"
Maybe the devil should have changed his strategy against Jesus. I read an interesting bit of commentary over Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. Every temptation we read is personal. Jesus had to make a choice for himself. The devil's offers impacted what happened to Jesus. But what if he would have, somehow, thrown the well being of other people in the mix? We know how much Jesus loved the people. So, how would he have responded?
That may seem out of touch for the story. But not when you consider what Jesus does for the rest of his ministry. He teaches, heals and turns toward the cross not for his personal benefit, but for the people, us. In the wilderness, Jesus understood his personal convictions would be for the ultimate communal benefit.
Today is Ash Wednesday. Many of us will hear words from the Apostle Paul as we gather in ashes for worship. "We entreat you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled" (2 Corinthians 5:20b). The "we" is Paul and his ministry companions, but he also has in mind Jesus. The Lord's sacrifice, of course, made us "become the righteousness of God' and gave us a collective ministry of reconciliation (5:21; 5:18).
No doubt Paul had the cross and resurrection in the forefront of his mind as he ministered. But the reconciliatory work of Jesus began in the wilderness when he overcame his personal temptations.
Now, we have the same personal choices to make. Lord help us to not lose sight of how those choices should lead us to communal righteousness "as we work together with him" for the people (6:1).
Stay blessed...john | 
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