March 13th - Reflection

First Sunday in Lent
Matthew 4:1-11 (NRSV)
The temptation of Jesus
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written,
'One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
'He will command his angels concerning you,'
and 'On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"

Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
'Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.' "

Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Reflection
Jesus faced the same kind of temptations you and I face. Jesus faced the same kind of temptations the Israelites faced while wandering in the wilderness. Jesus faced the same kind of temptation that Adam faced in the lust of the fruit, and the lust of the eyes. Jesus faces the same kind of temptations you and I and all people face.

Jesus, having come through the waters of baptism was now tempted for forty days. Likewise the Israelites having come through the saving waters of the Red Sea were tempted in the wilderness for forty years. Jesus was tempted to do many of the things that God had already done for the Israelites in the wilderness. Think back of manna and relate this to the bread from stone temptation.

Jesus knew the lives of the Israelites well and he knew what God had done for them. And Jesus got the point of it all...Worship the Lord your God.

The Israelites missed it...we miss the point...but Jesus didn't. Jesus took on temptation knowing that it's all about God. Not about your needs or my needs, it's about God. So as we face temptation in our daily lives. Try...try your best to turn to Jesus and see that's it's not about what it does for yourself, but it's all about God. Turn to Jesus, he's closer than you think, and seek his help. Turn to Jesus and see that Light and Listen to him. You can't do this on your own. You need Jesus. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, when I face temptation, settle my mind that I may turn to you and see your light and listen. You are God the One I worship...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen