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As
we enter the season of Lent, may we do so being open and
receptive to what God is doing in our lives and not
close or limit ourselves to divine possibilities. May
the next forty days, six weeks, be a time of intentional
spiritual growth for each one of us. I’ve chosen as a
theme this year, “From Fear to Love.” Each week we will
explore an aspect transforming love. Throughout our
journey we will be reminded of God’s love for us and all
people. As people of faith we need not live in fear but
trust in God.
The first Sunday of Lent finds Jesus in the wilderness
or desert. Jesus had just been baptized and was full of
the Spirit. Luke reports that Jesus “was led by the
Spirit in the wilderness,” in other words he did not
choose that path but rather was led or driven.
Sometimes our most profound spiritual growth comes from
not what we choose to do but rather where God has placed
us. Jesus would spend forty days in prayer communing
with God. At the end of the forty days Jesus would
emerge with new found strength and resolve to do God’s
will.
In
American Indian tradition a young adult will seek a
vision from God. This is known as a Vision Quest which
marks the transition from child to adulthood. This
experience is beneficial to the young person, giving
them a sense of direction in life. I believe that the
time Jesus spent in the wilderness praying and
reflecting gave him an inner strength. When he emerged
he would be ready and set to embark on his ministry that
would change the world.
When we set out to do God’s will we often face
resistance and opposition. It is disheartening, we want
to do what we feel God wants us to do but others
question our intentions. It is hurtful especially when
the opposition comes from a friend or fellow church
member. While we might not immediately recognize the
source or want to admit it, it is evil, it is from the
devil. Let’s be clear the devil does not want the
church to succeed. The devil wants nothing more than
for the church to be divided and filled infighting.
When there is unhealthy conflict the mission of the
church comes to a grinding halt. The closer we are to
God and Jesus the more the devil will try to lure us
away.
While in the wilderness for forty days Jesus encountered
evil presented from the devil himself. The devil always
seems to know our weaknesses, and when we are most
vulnerable. The devil knew that Jesus had been fasting
for forty days and must have been hungry. The first
temptation Jesus faced was to turn stone into bread. On
the surface this does not seem like a big deal, in fact,
it may even seem like a good idea.
It is not always easy to recognize
temptation. Often when we are temped at first it might
not seem so bad, it might even appear to be good.
Changing ordinary stones into bread would help solve the
world’s hunger problem. With an abundance of stones to
turn into bread no one would ever have to go to bed
hungry.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, saw
through the devil’s temptation and was able to resist by
quoting scripture, “One does not live by bread alone.”
It was not a question of whether or not Jesus could have
turned stones into bread—he could have but rather a
question of remaining obedient to God. The first
temptation was a self-centered act that would only
benefit Jesus. His own needs would be met, he would no
longer be hungry, but ultimately he would fail God. The
devil presents wants as needs. Jesus remained firm and
did not give in to this the first temptation.
For the second temptation the devil
showed Jesus all the “kingdoms of the world,” promising,
“To you I will give their glory and all this authority;
for it has been given over to me, and I give it to
anyone I please.” All that power could be Jesus’ if
only he submitted to the devil’s authority.
There are several things that stand
out as being wrong with this temptation. Why does the
devil think all the “kingdoms of the world” are his in
the first place? The devil was lying to Jesus. The
devil could not deliver all the kingdoms. The devil
presented falsehoods as truth. Had Jesus stumbled he
could have bypassed the cross. He could achieve all the
power without having to suffer and die. Eventually
people would claim Jesus as Lord.
Again like the first temptation
on the surface good could come from this temptation.
The governments of the day ruled with a heavy hand,
oppressing people, as ruler of the world Jesus would
govern from a sense of justice. Jesus was not about to
fall for this temptation, again quoting scripture, he
told the devil, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve
only him.” Jesus resisted the devil’s second temptation
by once again quoting scripture and recognizing the lie
the devil told him.
The devil was determined to get to
Jesus and tempted him a third time. The devil took
Jesus to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the
temple. The devil even questions Jesus’ identity saying
“if you are…” Jesus knew he was the Son of God. What
is most frightening and disguising with this temptation,
is that the devil quotes scripture. “For it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect
you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that
you will not dash your foot against a stone.”
The third temptation is one of
distrust masquerading as faith. If Jesus would leap down
from the highest point of the temple he would surely
gather quite a crowd and win followers. There is a part
of us that loves the spectacular; many of the evening
television programs feature people taking all sorts of
dares and performing death defying stunts. Millions of
people tune in each week to watch these programs. If
any good could come from this temptation it would be to
win an immediate following or fan base. The problem is
that Jesus would have to climb to the pinnacle of the
temple and leap off every day.
Jesus continues to look for people
who will follow in his footsteps, showing love and
compassion for all people. Jesus demands our best
effort; we cannot be a causal or part-time follower.
Once again Jesus rebukes the
devil’s temptation by quoting scripture, “Do not put the
Lord your God to the test.” The last verse of our
lesson states that the devil had finished every test;
however, the devil was not finished with Jesus but would
return at some point in the future. We can never
totally escape evil; it continues to rear its ugly head
at times when we do not expect it.
Jesus faced and overcame three
separate temptations. He refused to fall into the
devil’s trap by quoting scripture. During Lent we make
extra time to read our Bibles because we never know when
we will need the strength of God’s word.
This incident at the beginning of
Jesus’ earthly ministry I believe defines his
character. He would not compromise his mission by the
quick and easy or by teaming with the devil. Jesus is
defined by what he rejects.
We can combat each and every
temptation by remaining strong in our faith, by reading
our Bibles, by praying, by giving of our time and
resources to others in need and by regular attendance in
worship. A strong and vital faith does not just happen
but requires effort on our parts. If we neglect the
spiritual disciplines that I just mentioned then we are
in danger of slipping away, and will not grow in our
faith. God cannot do God’s work in your life if you do
not make any effort.
In a few minutes you will be
invited to the altar to receive the bread and cup. We
partake because Jesus instructs us to “do this” until he
returns. We also come desiring to be more like Jesus.
In each of our lives may we go from living in fear to
experiencing the love of God.
Amen.
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