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. Matthew 4:1-11
Being tempted is a very big part of being human. As children, we are tempted to steal food or candy from a sibling's portion or take attention away from them. We are often jealous of what others have and are angry that we don't have the same. We are greedy and want more than we are given, whether it's money, beauty or fame. And yet, Jesus in his full humanity was tempted three times by the devil and resisted, even though he was hungry, cold and alone. We all crave to be warm, fed and have company.
The are basic human necessities, and yet our desire for them can control us and eventually destroy us. We don't live with horned devils, yet we are enticed, every moment of every day, to take away from others and have more than we need. Lent is an invitation to examine where our greed and jealousies come from, admitting to them and releasing them from the power they have over our lives.
Wondrous Creator, you gave us free will
we are autonomous and able to choose for ourselves.
O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.
We give in to the excesses of our greedy times
and pretend it is the only way to fully live.
O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.
Our lives are broken and shamefully undone
we fling insults and barbs as if we have the right.
O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.
You, O Lord, faced all our human temptations
and sent the devil packing as you trusted in God.
O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.
We are empty, lost folks wanting to come home
open your arms to us, the wretched slaves to sin.
O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us.
You, O Christ, are the great lover of all souls
and in you, Lord, we can rest and be fully fed.
O Lord Jesus Christ, free us from the temptations that bind us. Amen.
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