Resist Temptation: Lent 1

Resist Temptation: Lent 1

Year A, The First Sunday in Lent
February 26, 2023

Year A:  Genesis 2:15; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

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You know the phrase, what would Jesus do? We know what Jesus did when we listen to today’s Gospel. Today’s Gospel is important to us because we see the resistance of Jesus to the powers of this world, the resistance that begins right after his baptism in the Jordan and eventually leads to this crucifixion.

So, instead of wondering what Jesus would do since we already know, I pondered, “what would Bishop Curry say?” Of course, I can’t preach like Bishop Curry, nor would I try. But I can consider what he would say about the meaning of the temptations Jesus faces in today’s world.

Given his focus on social justice, it is likely that Bishop Curry would interpret the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness in light of the challenges of our world. He might draw connections between the temptations that Jesus faced and our social, political, and economic challenges.

For example, he might see the devil’s offer of power as a temptation that leaders in our society face, as they are often tempted to prioritize their personal interests over the needs of the people they serve. I have personally witnessed people falling prey to those temptations and people who have resisted those temptations. He might also see the devil’s offer of wealth as a temptation many of us face, as we are often tempted to prioritize material possessions over relationships, community, and spiritual values.

In light of these challenges, Bishop Curry might encourage us, actually I am very sure would encourage us, to stay grounded in our faith and to draw on the power of God’s love; to work for justice in our communities. He might also remind us of the importance of coming together as a faith community to support one another in our struggles and to work together to create a more just and compassionate world.

Overall, Bishop Curry would likely emphasize the message of hope and the transformative power of faith at the heart of the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. He would remind us that no matter our challenges, we can always draw on the strength of God’s love to overcome them and live out our calling as followers of Christ.

That’s what Bishop Curry might say.

What do I have to say about what we heard this morning?

Well, we certainly hear the resistance of Jesus to the powers of the world, the powers that must crucify Jesus because of the “no” he speaks to their ways, to their ideologies, to the false securities they promise. These powers will only deliver death and destruction.

But Jesus delivers life.

Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew takes us to the wilderness, where Jesus fasted for forty days and was tempted by Satan. Jesus resists these temptations and chooses life.

We’re reminded, perhaps, of our struggles with temptation and the importance of staying grounded in our faith amid life’s challenges.

Matthew’s Gospel was written in the first century when the early Christian community faced persecution and struggled to find footing in a world hostile to its message. In this context, the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness becomes a powerful metaphor for the spiritual struggle that all believers must endure.

The wilderness is a place of isolation and vulnerability, where one must confront the harsh realities of life. In Genesis, we see that God places Adam in the Garden of Eden and commands him not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This commandment sets the stage for the fall later in Genesis, where Adam and Eve give in to temptation and eat from the forbidden tree.

In the same way, Jesus faces temptation in the wilderness as he confronts the devil’s offers of power, wealth, and fame. The devil tempts Jesus with bread when he is hungry, challenges him to prove his divinity by jumping from the pinnacle of the temple, and promises him all the kingdoms of the world if he will bow down and worship him. Each time, Jesus resists the temptation by quoting scripture and reaffirming his faith in God.

The story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness reminds us that we, too, will face temptation in our lives and that our faith in God is our greatest weapon against the devil’s schemes. As we reflect on this passage in the context of our baptismal theology, we are reminded of promises made when we were baptized: among them promises to renounce evil and repent of our sins, to turn to Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and to follow him as a disciple.

Living our baptismal promises to renounce evil and repent requires us to stay grounded in our faith and resist the temptations of the world around us. Unfortunately, staying true to our values and resisting temptation can be difficult in a culture that values power, wealth, and fame. But by staying connected to our faith community and leaning on the strength of God’s grace, we can overcome our challenges and remain faithful to our baptismal promises.

What temptations do you face, and how do you resist them?

How can we work together as a community of faith to support one another in our struggles and resist the temptations of the world around us?

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us remember the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness and the power of his example to inspire us in our spiritual struggles. Let us stay grounded in our faith, resist the world’s temptations, and strive to live out our baptismal promises every day.

As we reflect on the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, we are reminded that we are all called to live lives of purpose and meaning, to resist the temptations that distract us from that calling, and to draw on the power of God’s love to transform ourselves and the world around us.

We are called to resist temptation, be people of faith, hope, and love, stand together as a community of believers, and work tirelessly for justice, peace, and the common good. Let us hold fast to this vision of what it means to be followers of Christ: to build a better world for ourselves, our neighbors, and for generations yet to come.

May God bless us all as we journey together in faith.

Amen.