Tempted and Tried

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for 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 splendour; 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. Matthew 4:1-11

I have always been encouraged by the story of Jesus being tempted. No, I have not met the devil who personally tempted me, but I have encountered many times when I was tempted. Too many times, I have been tempted to give in to hurt and anger, have ached to give up on my dreams when things get hard, give up on myself when I feel like I don't deserve it, and just let the evil around me consume me. But this story reminds me that every time we battle our worst selves, we battle the evil that is part of being human. We all battle demons in one way or another. My mother used to say that "you know you're getting close to God when the devil starts working overtime!" And it does seem, when we're trying our best to love God and neighbor, stuff get so hard we feel overwhelmed. Yet I do remember, in times like these, that our persistence is paid in unimaginable blessings. Our pushing back on evil in our small ways does change the world.

Precious Savior, you were tempted and tried

hungry for bread and terribly alone and afraid

yet you fought for the hungry and the lonely

and brought love to an aching and needy world.

We often see sparkling things and want them

we believe we will be fulfilled by possessions

we amass wealth on the backs of the poorest

and don't listen to your offer to heal us all.

Make us strong for the battle ahead of us

make us ready to see the temporary struggles

will pass and the pain will be all forgotten

as you embrace us with your love and compassion. Amen.