Temptation
(Free Version) The First Sunday in Lent- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
Temptation of Christ” (1663) by Philips Augustijn Immenraet
This week’s readings can be found here. For more reflections and illustrations on the readings, see our Deep Dive.
Today we mark the beginning of this season of Lent, a season of repentance, fasting, and humility. In this season, we acknowledge our dependence on God. Dependence is difficult for us, but it is our reality. We are dependent creatures. We need God.
The challenge for Lent is trust. We will be constantly tempted to turn to other things instead of resting in our dependence upon God. Temptation often comes to us in the place of our longings, our hungers. During Lent, we intentionally step into those spaces of vulnerability. But we do not go there alone. There is one who has been faithful and will be faithful.
In our Old Testament reading (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-17), we hear the story of the human calling to care for the garden; the permission to eat from any tree; and the prohibition to stay away from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This tree represents a boundary; and, if crossed, will lead to death. Humans are to hold all three of these things together: calling, permission, and prohibition.
The serpent misconstrues God’s words, focusing on the prohibition alone and reframing the boundary as a threat. The woman sees that the tree is 1) good for food; 2) pleasing to the eye; and 3) desirable for gaining wisdom. She and Adam therefore step outside of God’s intention, usurping God’s authority.
Our New Testament reading (Romans 5:12-19) serves as a kind of bridge between the Genesis and Matthew stories. Paul describes sin, not only as actions that are inappropriate, but as a reign over everyone. Yet, in Jesus Christ, the situation has not only been “put right.” Something much greater than this has happened! This gift of God is greater than any trespass. Those who receive this gift receive much more than a putting back together. They are part of a new reign which is greater than anything else. Likewise, just as “Adam” stands for all of us sinners, Jesus now stands for all of us who will be made righteous.
In our gospel reading (Matthew 4:1-11), we hear of Jesus’ temptation. He is tempted 1) To meet his own needs by shortcutting the natural processes and turning stone into bread; 2) To make the Father do something for him which is outside of God’s character and plan; 3) To circumvent the cross and find a different way to Lordship. These three roughly parallel with the three things Eve was tempted by the fruit. They also point back to the temptations and failures of God’s people throughout the Old Testament. Though human beings are unfaithful, Jesus is faithful. He is fully dependent on the Father, and knows his voice.
Many in our congregations are facing Lent from a place of significant emptiness: loneliness, anxiety, grief, financial lack. It is important to affirm that these needs—for friendship, for comfort, for peace, for provisional—are completely legitimate. Often, when we find ourselves in such places, the temptation is to figure out how we can meet our needs at all costs. Rather than trusting, we turn to unhealthy coping patterns. One of the reasons why the church exists is join together in the carrying our burdens in Christ.
Additionally, our congregations are full of so many talented, capable people. Many have achieved in significant ways or simply carry a lot of talent within them. It can be so easy to trust in that talent or in those achievements. When we do that, our strength becomes our weakness. When we see that we are not succeeding in the way we want, we ask…What’s up God? And we just push ourselves harder in order to try to experience that fulfillment. The challenge for Lent may be to learn to embrace our limits, embrace the boundaries. Be forewarned, for many people this may sound like torture! The truth is that we can’t do it all. Our skills, talent, devotion, or character will never be enough on their own. We offer our brokenness to God and he makes something out of us.
Finally, the way of the cross always means laying down our dreams and desires, allowing God to fulfill them in a way we never would have expected. This is his kingdom, not ours, and even our good dreams are better in his hand.
May we ruthlessly pursue trust in the one who was faithful even as we are unfaithful. May we trust in his nature, to make beautiful things out of broken things. May we resist shame and offer all that we are to God.