On this first Sunday of Lent we are reminded of our enemy, the serpent of Genesis, the reason for the Fall of Adam and the tempter of Jesus. We see him for who he is: a self-obsessed lier and thief whose claim of lordship is of darkness and death.
We know who he is, for we too are tempted by him to turn away from the Lord and stand on our own. We know who he is, for we live a world touched by darkness and sin, embraced by selfishness and failure. We know who he is, for he plants the seed of doubt and despair in our hearts.
This lord of darkness is the devil who tempts Jesus in today's gospel of Matthew. Filled with jealousy and pride, he declared himself equal to his creator ... on a par with God in those first moments of creation. Not satisfied with his legions, he appears in the Garden to tempt those who are children and friends of God, leading them to step out of grace and favor. Through him, humanity fell into personal sin which has led to a world of pain and suffering, bondage and despair. He claims dominion over that which is not his, and is blinded by his arrogant selfishness.
When he tempts Jesus today, his temptations are reflected in those temptations that continually confront us.
He tempts Jesus in his hunger, after 40 days and nights of fasting and prayer. He does not give Jesus bread to eat, but asks him to "turn the stones into bread" … telling him to personally mistrust the blessings of the Father. Jesus did not buy into the lie. Our hungers are many, and he tempts us to trust in ourselves or others rather than the Father who has pledged us his loving care.
He tempts Jesus with self-preservation. "Throw yourself from the temple" ... God's angels will protect you! It does not matter what you do, we are told, God will protect you and keep you from harm. Like Jesus in the desert, we need to tell the evil one that we will not put the Lord to the test. We will live in his love without compromising our safety or existence.
And he tempts Jesus with all the power and riches of the world ... which he mistakenly claims as his own. The lord of darkness offers these things to Jesus (and us) if we but "bow down" in worship of him. What arrogance!
What the Lord created as we hear in Genesis was seen to be good! And God was pleased! We are the crowning moment of that creation! We must not allow temptations and lies, sin and darkness, confound the vision of God. Lent is our time of repenting of our sins, turning to the Lord, and embracing his merciful grace and live!
No comments:
Post a Comment