January 17, 2021

January 17, 2021

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When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
– Luke 4:13

Much has been said and written about the temptation of Christ. Still, I find it one of the most intriguing stories to be shared with the context of the gospels.  The temptation Jesus goes though is nestled between his baptism (the pronouncement of who he is in God’s kingdom) and his public ministry (how he shares God’s kingdom with others).

The temptation that Jesus overcomes is an opportunity for us to overcome our own temptations. As we seek to follow Christ in this world, to be his disciples, and work for the kingdom that is already and not yet, we come to find that the temptation story teaches us much about the human condition and its desires.  The temptations of Christ are seen as a

- Temptation for hedonism (the stones to bread) which attacks the heart and its desire for satisfaction.

- Temptation for egoism (jumping from the tower) which attacks our mind making us believe we have might and will have success.

- Temptation for materialism (all the kingdoms of the world) which attacks the soul, believe that we can have all that we wish, that with power and wealth we will have control.

Like Jesus, we face these same temptations for power, satisfaction, and success. We all seek to build our own earthly kingdoms, and in the process we let go of the truth of what Christ did for us – set us free. Our freedom from the powers of this world enable us to focus on mind, soul, and heart as we seek to living into the faith, hope, and love that have been given us through Christ. 

This fundamental teaching of Christ’s overcoming temptation teaches us that we too overcome as we focus on faith, rely on hope, and serve others in love because He first loved us.  I pray we will move forward this week, keeping our focus on the kingdom that is to come and how we can work in that kingdom with faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these being love.

Grace & Peace,
Sam