Valois United Church

February 10, 2008 - Lent 1
Genesis 3
Matthew 4:1-11

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Whenever we think that Jesus had it easy, because he was the son of God, after all, then we better re-read the Gospels.

Today we come along to the story we read every year for Lent: The 40 days in the wilderness.

Jesus is driven out into the wilderness by the Spirit after his baptism.
In today’s reading, we hear that it is for testing: but there was more to it than that.

40 days of fasting to consider where he was going, what he was going to do, what his ministry was, what his call was, who he was.

40 days that echos, deliberately, the 40 years that the people were in the wilderness with Moses, trying to figure out who they were and where they were going to be who the were.

It’s a little like your interim period now, in between your before and your after, in between one regular minister and the next minister – a time to reflect on where you have been and, even more importantly, a time to reflect on where you are going.

Indeed, Jesus’ time in the wilderness was not just about testing. But there was the temptation.

Hey, Jesus, says satan: You have not eaten normally for a long time. But it’s okay: there are lots of rocks around here. Just turn them into bread and you’ll be fine! Sure, you could wait a few days and begin to eat like normal.... or you could just take this little short-cut and be filled up right now. All you have to do is meddle with creation a bit, and its dinner time!

But Jesus doesn’t want to meddle with creation.
Jesus is not tempted into taking this short-cut to comfort.
He waits upon God’s word.

Okay, Jesus, says Satan. Fine about the rocks. But look at this. See yourself in Jerusalem.... no, not just in Jerusalem, but up on the highest pinnacle of the temple. Wow! Imagine all the people looking up at you. Now - jump off and let God’s angels save you. Everyone will think you are really something special. Awesome, just awesome. You won’t have to travel and preach and suffer for people to realize how special you are.... I’m offering you the wise, easy way......

No, says Jesus, I am not going to test God with such tricks.
I am not taking this short-cut.
I am not going to get pretend immortality by letting angels catch me.

Well, you’re a tough one, Jesus. Very tough. But look. Come up on top of this mountain and look at all that you can see. In fact, look beyond what you can see. It can all be yours, right now. You don’t have to wait until you’re dead and gone to be the lord of all places. Today. It’s yours. For one easy payment.... just worship me!

No, Jesus says again. I will not worship you.
I will not bow to the way of evil.
Only God is worthy of worship.
And I don’t need this shortcut. Someday I will be known as Lord.
And I will have died, but I will not be dead. Wait and see.

And so Satan gave it up.

Jesus: tempted. True temptation, not just pretend: Jesus is not a robot.
But he did not, would not, could not succumb.

Not like us.

A rather attractive young woman entered the hotel restaurant and while waiting to be seated at a table, she decided to have a cocktail at the bar. She found an empty seat next to a distinguished looking gentleman and struck up a conversation. After a few minutes, the gentleman leaned close to the young woman and whispered, "I am a millionaire. If I give you one million dollars would you spend the night with me?" The young woman smiled and said "One million dollars? Sure." Then the gentleman said "O.K well then will you do it for $20.00? The young woman answered emphatically, "No!" Then she said, "Just what kind of woman do you think I am?" The gentleman smiled and answered, "I thought we had settled that point. Now we are just negotiating a price."

We are all tempted.
We are tempted to act in ways that aren’t God’s ways.
Daily.
.....
And we are tempted to do nothing in response to situations around us.
Daily.
....

But we know what to do.
If we let God’s Word speak to us clearly.
We KNOW.

But following God’s way is not just about knowing the word.

From the story of the first temptation of Eve [Gen. 3:1-7], let's not forget that Eve was able to recite what God had commanded in regard to the forbidden tree.

But she took the fruit anyhow.

And Adam knew well the commandment about the fruit.

But he took the fruit anyhow

And we know the commandments,
and we know the way,
and we know the word.

And still we fail.
Often because we don’t spend enough time thinking: How does God’s word apply RIGHT NOW?
How does God’s word apply to my relationships with my neighbours,
with my family, with my co-workers, with the stranger in the street?
How does God’s word apply to what we do each day?

We often don’t think about it.
Even when we know it.

And so we are buffeted so easily by the temptations laid before us - most usually the temptations of a consumer world,
but also the temptations just to “go along”, not “rock the boat”, not to stick out with our friends or others.
We move with the crowd.
Instead of moving with Jesus.

Teenagers are under lots of peer pressure, we adults say.
Got news for you.
Adam was under peer pressure. He just went along with Eve.
Why be different?
We are all under peer pressure. We just go along
Why be different?

Well, we ought to be different.
Because in today’s world, following God’s way means thinking about God’s will and way.
Following God’s way means being different.

Let us spend our Lenten season pausing.
Pausing to consider: What does God want me to do NOW?
And let us dare to be followers.
Let us dare to be different.