In the weeks before we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection at Easter, as we remember that we are deeply loved by God, we acknowledge our human limitations, and find ways to move closer to God. Through the 40 days of Lent, followers of Jesus grapple with things that make it tough to follow Jesus, for it is hard to live love and compassion and generosity and mercy. We use the ancient practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to turn toward God, and remind ourselves how God calls us to love our neighbor and welcome the outsider.
In this week’s gospel reading, the devil approaches Jesus in the wilderness at the end of a fast that lasted 40 days and nights. Jesus is “famished” when the devil invites him to make stones into loaves of bread. Jesus declines, quoting a bit of scripture. Next the devil takes him to the pinnacle of the temple, right in the middle of the city and religious life and invites Jesus to jump off and prove who he is when the angels save him crashing to his death. Again Jesus declines, citing another piece of scripture. Finally, the devil offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if he will worship the devil. Jesus sends the devil away, quoting a passage of scripture that commands “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only God.”
In this passage, Jesus faces the same kind of challenges we face in our lives. It is tempting to put all our energy into our own needs, to focus on self-care to the point of indulgence. It is temping to seek attention and acclaim, then begin to believe we are better than everyone else. It is tempting to accumulate power and then use our connections and influence to benefit only ourselves. There are plenty of examples of people doing these very things in the world around us – but that’s not what Jesus does, nor what we are called to do.
Jesus hasn’t come for his own gratification or public acclaim or worldly power. Jesus has come to heal and restore the brokenness of the world. Jesus has come to transform us and the world and bring new life. Jesus calls us to live in ways that share love, encourage compassion, further justice, and bring peace. May we all find ways to move closer to God in these days of Lent through living in the ways Jesus lived.
Peace,
Alicia