Sunday, February 21, 2010

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Deuteronomy 26:1-11,

Romans 10:8b-14, Luke 4:1-13

Who is Jesus?  This is the heart of the Gospel of Luke.  Who is Luke saying Jesus is in today’s Gospel reading of the temptation of Jesus? 

Immediately before Jesus’ temptation we read of Jesus’ Baptism.  As in all Christian baptisms, the naming of who we are is significant. When Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River heaven is opened, and the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice comes from heaven, “you are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased”.

Jesus’ documentation as God’s Son, is then followed by an accounting of Jesus’ genealogy that firmly places Jesus in the lineage of King David.  This is significant in stating Jesus’ identity as the Messiah because the Jews believed the Messiah would come from King David’s ancestry.

With Jesus established as the Messiah, the Son of God, we begin today’s Gospel.  Immediately following  Jesus Baptism and before Jesus is unleashed upon the world, Jesus is overcome by the Holy Spirit and carried off into the solitude of the desert wilderness.  It is as if he is not ready to be sent out into his ministry until he has had this time of retreat.

It is here Jesus encounters the false accuser, the devil himself.  Jesus ate nothing during his 40 day retreat into the desert.  It was at this point in his hunger the evil one confronts Jesus with questions about Jesus’ real identity.  Each temptation answers the question; “Who is Jesus?”

Satan knows who Jesus is, but it is in asking questions that brings Jesus to define how he will use his authority and power.  The big answer behind all of this is Jesus’ relationship with God.

Satan says, not if, but since you are the Son of God command the stones to become a loaf of bread - use your creative powers for your personal benefit, help yourself.  Jesus responds by quoting scripture, Deut 8:3 “People do not live by bread alone”.  Jesus centers himself on scripture to bring definition to his decision.

Another temptation for Jesus.  The devil leads Jesus up, actually it says in the original language - they sailed up, and the devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus could have all of these if Jesus just bows down to worship the ruler of the world, as Satan calls himself!

The temptation was for Jesus to use his authority for earthly gain.  But Jesus chose to walk in the fullness of his relationship with his father.

Jesus, again references Deut. 6:13 “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”

Then the third temptation, Satan brings Jesus to the top of the temple in Jerusalem, the very place where Jesus is heading in his ministry.

 “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 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.’” Jesus answered, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”(Luke 4)

As we journey together through Lent we will find that the temptations that Jesus encountered in his 40 days are not that different than the temptations we experience in our life. 

We, too, are baptized into relationship with God.  We, too, are tempted to serve ourselves with the powers that we have and work as individuals making decisions for our own benefit.  We also have the other side of the choice, and that is to live in the gifted relationship we have with God as a follower of Jesus.

A question was asked, “What prayer would be best said in a time of temptation?”  The answer is twofold”

First:  Just as Jesus answered temptation with quoting scripture, we, also, have these same tools at our hands.  This is why living in Christian community and studying God’s word is so important.  The story in the Bible is OUR story. We find ourselves written on every page.  The Bible is the story of God’s relationship with God’s people.  These are our ancestors, this is our story. Our answers for temptation are right here.  Devour these words; keep them close to your heart. These are our stories and our prayers.

Second: The very prayer Jesus taught us is an incredible tool when confronted by the evil demons that burden our lives.

Our Father who is in heaven hallowed be your name. Our Father is a relationship term that we are given to help us understand the depth of love that God has for us.

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.  Just as Jesus was tempted we are also tempted to have our own way and make ourselves or the possessions that really belong to God, not only our own, but our possessions can become our gods.  These words “your kingdom come” centers us as followers of Jesus Christ as we pray for God’s will in our lives.

Give us this day our daily bread: “Turn these stones to bread.” Satan said to Jesus and Jesus replied “People don’t live by bread alone.”  These words remind us that we can rely fully on our loving God to provide for all that we need.

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.  We acknowledge that we don’t always get in right as we live and serve and have our being in Jesus Christ.

And lead us not into temptation I hear in the temptations of Jesus the same temptations that we have. The temptation to abuse the powers we have to benefit only ourselves, the temptation to  control others and situations, becomes the focus of our relationships rather that Jesus being at the center of all of our lives.

And then there is the wonderful declaration of centering ourselves right on the mark;  For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever. AMEN

This is what Lent is about.  Lent is a time of walking with Jesus to Jerusalem, to study and engage in the journey with Jesus, to discover new revelations as to why God sent Jesus to be in relationship with us. 

Lent is a time of reorienting our lives, setting aside time daily to talk with God.  It is in this relationship with God that we center ourselves once again.  It is a time of examining our life choices from the investment we make in our time day by day, the food we place in our bodies, the choice we make with our finances; how we walk in relationship with God and with those we are given to love.   Truly, Lent is a gift in our lives.

Journey with Jesus.  Reclaim your identity given you in baptism as a child of God.

“The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);  11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.”  The Lord of all is generous to all who call on him.  13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10

Pr. Karol Hendricks-McCracken