FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

[cappie]

As we start our journey through Lent, our Sunday readings call us to adopt the same confidence that Jesus had in the face of temptation: God’s word alone will suffice; God’s promise of protection can be trusted; God alone is God.

In the first Reading for today, Adam and is given very clear instructions not to eat of the fruit of good and evil. While enjoying the physical presence of God and getting to eat from an abundance of fruit may not seem like a fast, it really was. Amid abundance, the sense that there was something not for them was too difficult for them to bear. It was an opportunity to deny their desire so that they could remain in right relationship with God. When they didn’t, they suffered the consequences. Adam and Eve offer a cautionary tale for us.

The Gospel for today affirms this message and adds to it in important ways. Jesus, coined the ‘second Adam’ St Paul, is led by the Spirit into a time of extreme fasting and temptation. While Adam and Eve had to avoid one fruit in paradise, Jesus braved a wilderness and consumed nothing.

It is here that Jesus is offered three distinct temptations. In the first, Jesus is tempted to overcome his hunger by using his power to turn stones into bread. The mere mention of bread was probably difficult for him to handle given how hungry he was. Jesus says no, citing that it is not by bread alone that one lives, but by the word of God.

In the second temptation Jesus is taken to the pinnacle of the Temple and invited to throw himself down in order that the angels may save him. Now this might seem like an easier one to resist at first until it is considered just how isolated Jesus must have felt from everyone and especially the angels after an eternity with them. It would have been wonderful to experience their presence during this difficult time for him. Jesus again says no, refusing to put God to the test.

Finally, Jesus is shown all the kingdoms of the world, which are offered to him in exchange for worship. Jesus, on the precipice of embarking on his ministry and building his movement could have much more easily taught and influenced the world from this place but instead said no again, affirming the need to worship God and only God.

So, unlike Adam, Jesus resists temptation, passes the test, and goes onto live a ministry that changed the world and still brings life to many. The message, in contrast to Adam, is clear: spiritual discipline is good, so is abstinence, and Lent is a time to practice both and be right with God. Yet, if we pay closer attention we can learn so much more about how we might live a Holy Lent and for what reasons.

Looking again at the first temptation we see Jesus deny a desire but for what reason? Jesus does this to strengthen his focus on God. While avoiding biscuits or chocolate might be good for physical health it is not the path to everyone strengthening their focus on God. As we consider what we might give up think about what may give us the opportunity to focus more on God. Perhaps the offering is time in prayer.

In the second one Jesus denied the opportunity to be reminded just how much he mattered. Jesus was amid horrible isolation and often, isolation can lead people to manipulation of those around them to feel reminded of their connection and importance in community. To put it another way, what are the things that we do when we aren’t feeling appreciated, or connected, or valued? It would be good to consider these things and consider how we can embrace community and seek connection in healthier ways.

Finally, Jesus denied personal power so he could continue to embrace power with God. While power with God does not offer the same pride benefit and certainly made Jesus’ life and ministry more difficult it ultimately saved our world. In this we come to understand how embracing power with, as opposed to power over, can ultimately enrich our lives. And so, given all this, our call is to live a Holy Lent, beyond fasting and abstinence, to embracing the truths that will set ourselves free to live out the fullness of God’s mission.

As we start our journey through Lent, our Sunday readings call us to adopt the same confidence that Jesus had in the face of temptation: God’s word alone will suffice; God’s promise of protection can be trusted; God alone is God.

The Spirit of the Lord is in me and in you. Take heart in that. It is one thing to be honest about our weaknesses, and another to be held captive by them. Again, freedom comes from Christ. As we hear in John Newton’s hymn of faith: “Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come, tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”