Today we enter the wilderness of Lent. Wilderness times are often dangerous times. In the wilderness it can be difficult to see clearly. In the wilderness it is tempting to stray off the path and become lost. In the wilderness it is easy to be deceived. It was true for the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for forty years. It was true for Jesus, led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days. It is true for us.
Three times in the wilderness the devil tries to trick Jesus into being someone he is not. Then and now, the devil is the master of deception and lies. Each of the devil’s temptations sound alluringly close to the truth of who one would expect the Messiah to be. Who, after all, would not want a Messiah who can turn stones into bread and do acrobatic tricks off tall buildings?
Our Messiah is not just anyone, however. Our Messiah is Jesus, and he knows who he is. Turning time and time again to God’s Word, Jesus would not be lured to abandon the cross for false glory. Jesus would remain true to his missional identity all the way to the cross. Jesus would not be deceived. Jesus would not give in to false promises of power, safety, and security. Instead, Jesus would empty himself of all power, giving up his life in love and service for all. The devil sees only greed and self-interest. Jesus sees us … and not just us, but all those who are weak and vulnerable and in need.
There are many voices in the wilderness today tempting us to abandon who we have been called to be and to become something we are not. These voices tempt us to give in to false promises of power, safety, and security. These voices tempt us to put our own self-interest ahead of the needs of others. These voices tempt us to trade in the cross for false glory. And, worse yet, many of these voices are doing so in the name of Christ.
Dear siblings in Christ, we cannot let ourselves be deceived. We cannot risk giving up the missional identity given to us as followers of Jesus through the water and Word of baptism. We cannot let ourselves be lured by false promises of power, safety, and security all the while abandoning our gospel call to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, and love the enemy. We cannot let ourselves lose sight of who we are by letting ourselves lose sight of who Jesus is.
So, who is this Jesus we follow in the wilderness places of our lives? Jesus is the One who through his life, death, and resurrection draws ALL people into God’s never-failing and unending love, even, perhaps, especially, in the wilderness. As we journey together through these forty days of Lent, let us turn our eyes and our hearts again to Jesus that he, and he alone, may guide our way.
In all the strife of mortal life our feet will stand securely;
Temptation’s hour will lose its pow’r, for you will guard us surely.
Our God, renew with heav’nly dew our body, soul, and spirit,
Until we stand at your right hand through Jesus’ saving merit. (LBW #450, stanza 3)
Looking to Jesus +
Bishop Greg