In the Wilderness
First Sunday of Lent
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 and Luke 4:1-13
During our Ash Wednesday service, we considered the following questions as we began our journey into the wilderness with Jesus:
- What spiritual disciplines as Christians you might undertake during this journey and Jesus’ journey with you?
- Picture yourself walking with Jesus in the wilderness over the next 40 days. What does that journey look like?
- What “stuff” can you shed to unclutter your 40 days in the wilderness that would allow you more time with Jesus?
- What outward signs of grief or repentance might you express on your spiritual journey during Lent?
In reading our Luke scripture today, there is one thing that we must note, and that is Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit.
Just prior to this event, Jesus has been baptized, and filled with the Holy Spirit.
If you were confirmed in the Presbyterian Church or baptized as a teenager like I was, you probably remember it is a bit exhilarating. You have that feeling that you are ready for the world, and “nothing can stop you now” feeling!
I’m sure that was the same with Jesus as he headed into the wilderness ready to take on the world. And mind you, he was not just wandering off on his own, he was being led by the Spirit, as if the Spirit was saying, “okay, let’s see how you do” with these temptations in the world that are about to occur.
As soon as we are past his first sentence of our scripture with Jesus being led by the Spirit into the wilderness, the test begins. It seems as if the Spirit walks Jesus into the darkness and drops him off with the devil.
We are told that for 40 days Jesus did not eat anything, and was tempted by the devil to turn the stone into bread, IF he truly was the Son of God.
Jesus’ response, “One does not live by bread alone.”
Then, the devil shows him all the greatness and powers of the kingdoms of the world, and offers him authority over all of them, IF Jesus only chooses to worship the devil.
One very important thing we should note here is that it is the devil who has authority over the earth. Not that God did not create both heaven and earth, and has control over both, but that here Jesus is being asked to make a choice between heaven and earth. A life of eternity with his Father God, or a life without his Father God if he chooses the things of the world.
Jesus answers, “It is written, ‘worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”
In his last attempt, the devil instructs Jesus to throw himself down from a high place. Don’t worry, the devil says, “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 devil is very cunning indeed, very persuasive.
Jesus answers, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Oh the temptations we have in life. The choices that we make that can be so consequential to our journey in life.
If only the devil was truly like that red cartoon figure with the horns, pitchfork and pointed tail. It would be so much more obvious what we should choose or not choose in life that would make our lives easier, wouldn’t it?
There are a few take-aways from these scripture readings that I want to point out.
- Remember that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, but the Spirit does not leave Jesus. Jesus, being well-versed in the Word of God, knew how to respond to the devil, and the Spirit gave him the strength to do so.
Often we are faced with the hardest temptations when we are at our lowest. It’s at those times that we are called upon to find the strength within us of the Spirit to make the right choices to avoid consequences that separate us from our relationship with God.
- We hear from our Psalmist that no matter what we face in life, no matter how we are tempted, God will deliver and protect those who choose to love him. God answers when we call.
‘Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’
When we make a choice to live in the presence of God, and make God’s Word and ways our focus, we will not stumble. It doesn’t say we won’t be tempted, however, the angels of the Lord will deliver us from falling away from God’s presence.
Our First Sunday reading from our Lenten devotional by Walter Brueggemann reminds us that the world is always telling us, “Bigger is better,” “Faster is better,” and “More is better.” These are the same temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness.
Isaiah reminds us; however, that when we are close to losing our faith, when we have been tempted to turn away from God to the things the world offers, to remember this:
‘Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
and you that have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and labor for that which does not satisfy?’ (Isaiah 55:1-2a)
When we live in the presence of God, these things are offered in full. All of our cravings can be filled, and nothing we can buy satisfies the longing we have in our hearts that fills us like the Holy Spirit.
Brueggemann proposes that ‘Lent is a question, a gift, and a summons with the following three questions:
- What are we doing?
- Are we working for that which does not satisfy?
- Are we spending for that which is not bread?’
These gifts are free, as we are reminded every time we take communion. Only God, the Holy Trinity, can truly satisfy our hunger and thirst.
We will never find satisfaction in the things of the world, we may keep looking and looking for different things to satisfy us, and they may for a time, but only true satisfaction, true peace comes from within when we carry the love of God in our hearts, and we learn to turn to God in times of trouble rather than the world.
Lent reminds us to reconnect with the Holy Trinity and to bear new fruit. In order to do this, we might need to refocus our priorities, depend more on the Holy Spirit to lead us, and trust in the Word of God and the teachings of Jesus. Only then, can we begin to bear new fruit in the wilderness.
(Silent Reflection)
PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE
God who disrupts our lives with an invitation, we give you thanks and praise. As we journey in this season of Lent, help us to reboot, to look inward at where our desires really lie, and where these desires lead us in the world. May we be led away from strivings that lead to greed and hatred that cause anxiety, and turn to the Holy Trinity which brings compassion, generosity and peace. Heal our world leaders, O Lord, that they turn away from the things that feed hatred, rather than love; war rather than peace; and greed over generosity. Lord of life, we are so grateful for our first responders and care givers that help to preserve life. Bless them with your mercy as they do your work in the world. Healing God, we know so many who are stricken with grief of a loved one lost, many suffering from addictions they do not have the strength to overcome, illnesses that cannot be cured, and all sorts of debilitating health issues that weaken the body. We ask for your mercy, comfort and healing upon these O Lord, on those held captive against their will and all who are abused. We lift in silent prayer those who have asked for our prayers_______________________________________________________________
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Hear our pleas, O Merciful Lord, our deliverer and protector, as we pray together the prayer Jesus taught his disciples, Our Father, who art in heaven……..
Amen.