Sermon 02-21-2010

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-11 & 14-16                                                        

Luke 4:1-13

“In the Wilderness”

Companions are those with whom we find and share bread on our journeys. Even in places of solitude and wilderness, companions draw near. Now-a-days there are stores that are exclusive to Mountain gear and living outdoors. Those of you who go camping understand and know what is needed to stay overnight in the outdoors, again I don’t do that!

My daughter Marisabel, however, who works and is living for a year in Abu-Dhabi, which is in Southern Arabia, is an adventurous girl and shares with us how she goes camping in the desert and gathers with friends by the fire.

PRAYER

The wilderness is described as mountains of sand that change their form by the movement of the wind, hot sun during the day and cold breeze at night. “The desert is an arid wasteland where wild beast and creatures live.” (Isaiah 43:19-21)

In Jesus’ time many people went to the wilderness for reflection and meditation. We know that John the Baptist lived in the desert and ate locust and wild honey… and that he used the time to prepare himself to be the announcer of the Christ.

In this season of Lent we are invited to embrace an intentional way of life. For the next forty days of Lent (not including Sundays), we follow the example of Jesus who was “led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” (v1-2)”                           (Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol. 2. Lori Brandt Hale. pg.44)

Was Jesus just “dropped off” in the wilderness by the Spirit?

Was Jesus left alone there? What kind of companions did Jesus have there?

“There was the Spirit, who not only led him but continues to be with him…

There was hunger. Hunger describes the human expression of need…

There is the tempter or the devil – who comes to test Jesus in the midst of his need…

There is scripture. The tempter uses scripture as a way of testing Jesus. In turn, all of Jesus’ responses are quoted from the scripture…

There is God, named and trusted by Jesus…”  (Seasons of the Spirit, Cong. Life, 02-21-2010, pg. 32)

Let’s remember that the wilderness is the place where prophets like Moses and Elijah also began their ministries. It is the place where Israel itself was birthed as a people on their trek to the land that was promised to them. Jesus’ time (in the wilderness) was a time (to define his ministry), a time of fasting and… prayer.”

                                                  (Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol. 2. Sharon H. Ringe, pg. 47-49)

The devil is testing the identity of Jesus. “In baptism, Jesus is identified as the “Beloved Son of God… the challenge in the temptations is to him: “if you are the Son of God…

“The first temptation, to turn a stone into a loaf of bread, would assuage his hunger after the long fast. By implication, if he can do that, he can also turn the abundant stones that cover Israel’s landscape in to ample food wracked by famine. The challenge is to be a new Moses for the people, Jesus’ reply draws on Moses, by citing him: ‘one does not live by bread alone.’ Bread is good, but not sufficient to define Jesus’ mission (in the world).” (idem)

Do we need another type of bread one other than the spiritual bread of life we find in Jesus?

“The second test …portrays the devil in the role of “ruler of the world,” that can manage the governance of the world’s kingdoms. For the price of ‘worshipping’ or honoring that authority, the devil will hand it all to Jesus. Remember that most of the known world in Luke’s day was under heavy-handed control of Rome and its economic, administrative, and military empire. Surely a ‘regime change’ can only be for the world’s good! Yet again Jesus’ answer is no. The price is too high, even to acknowledge the self-evident power of the devil in the political arena. Jesus replies with the word: ‘All authority belongs only to God.’ Implicitly, even playing the world’s game for a good purpose would be to risk serving something less than God.” (idem)

What is the devil offering you? Is that better than Jesus?

What world games are we playing that are taking priority over God?

The third test concludes in Jerusalem, the place where Jesus’ ministry will culminate (three years later) in his passion and resurrection appearances, and where the church will begin (Acts 1). The devil ‘placed Jesus on the pinnacle of the temple’ and his challenge is compounded by a quotation from Psalm 91:11-12, which promises God’s protection to those who are righteous. Is not the temple a place where the presumed righteous – carry out their work?” (idem) 

Will God not send his angels to protect you? asked the tempter.

Again Jesus’ reply comes from scripture: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Deut. 6:16). Jesus did not give in to the temptations.

“Jesus successfully sends the devil packing until the ‘opportune time’ when he enters Judas to launch the events of the passion. Though Jesus refused to turn stones in to bread, he does feed the hungry. Though he refused political power, the proclamation of God’s empire of justice and peace is the focus of his preaching and teaching. Though he refused to jump off the temple to see if God would send angels to catch him, he goes to the cross in confidence that God’s will for life will trump the world’s decision to execute him. (idem)

“Would Jesus exploit his status and power before God as the Son of God to satisfy his own needs and desires? Would Jesus compromise his relationship with God by failing to acknowledge the ultimate sovereignty of God over all things?”

                                                                             (Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol. 2. Jeffery L. Tribble Sr., pg.48)

Jesus found his assurance in God’s love and in God’s words as we read them in Psalm 91. “We can experience God as a living, active, loving presence in our daily lives. We can center our lives on what it means to be in … relationship with God.

People ask me what can I do during lent, here are some practical ways:

Read the Scriptures during Lent, visualize yourself with Jesus – in the desert with the crowds of people, (healing, walking, talking ,listening,) in the garden praying, in his trials and on the cross. Write a journal about these experiences.

Write a letter to God expressing your love for God and your desire to deepen your relationship with him.

Write a poem, a hymn, a psalm, or a short story… (based on your readings).

Draw a picture that expresses your feelings about the season of lent or about God’s love for you.

Spend some time “hanging out with God.” Invite God to be part of your daily routine, share with him your joys, sorrows and frustrations in life.

Ask God, what do I need to change in my life?

Opening our hearts to God can increase our trust in God’s invitations and promises. We can spend each day in the quiet shelter of God’s love and protection and listen to the prayer of the Holy Spirit for our lives, as Jesus also did.”

Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol. 2. Katherine E. Amos, pg.36)

“Jesus’ intentionality and receptivity to God’s grace show us the way to turn towards God, rather than away from God, during our trials and temptations. If we choose the Lenten struggle to be intentional and receptive to the grace of God, we will encounter a faithful God who leads us not only in to the wilderness but also through the wilderness.”                   (Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol. 2. Jeffery L. Tribble Sr., pg.48)

BENEDICTION

Let us go forth with hearts filled with story,

Mouths filled with prayer,

Breath filled with song,

Companions side-by-side, nourished for the challenge ahead. Amen!

                                              (Seasons of the Spirit, Cong. Life, 02-21-2010, pg. 36)