February 21st - Reflection

Reading
First Sunday in Lent
Luke 4:1-13 (NRSV)
The temptation of Jesus

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, 'It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, 'It is written,
'Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.' "

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,
'He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you,'
and
'On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.' "
Jesus answered him, 'It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.


Reflection
How many times have I tested Jesus? I'm sure my sin has been a test. But how many times have I doubted and tested him? When pain comes along, or sickness, or sadness and depression, and I doubt Jesus. I pray and expect a genie in a bottle to take the suffering away and it doesn't happen. How many times have I tested Jesus or even in some way tempted him to leave all this salvation stuff. Although I and Jesus were never promised freedom from pain, suffering, evil attacks, the impact of sin and even death; it is sure that God is on our side. God our Father, takes care of his children and loves them.

So when the testing and temptation comes to me, I must go to the Father and talk. Talk and discuss and listen and learn. I must hear the Word and see the Word present through Scripture and Sacrament and in Life. I must go to the Father in prayer. Go to the Father with Jesus and all my brothers and sisters of all space and time. Go into that wilderness led by the Holy Spirit and leave, full of the Holy Spirit, and place all my trust, hope and faith in God. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
I reflect on Jesus' temptation in the wilderness... I confess my sin in my own testing of Jesus and my own failures in temptation. Forgive my sin O Lord! Fill me with your Spirit and lead me through temptation, that I may leave the wilderness in trust and hope and faith that only you can supply. --- Amen