“Lead Us NOT Into…!” Lent has begun. In the recognition of Ash Wednesday this past week we have entered into this year’s trek through the 40 days of Lent. We know from our Gospel text that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the Devil. All the texts from this week’s lectionary have to do with temptation. Temptation is a real and present danger for Christians even in the 21st century. Let’s look, this week, at how we can avoid some of the pitfalls of temptation as we move through these first days of Lent.
Monday, March 14 -
You know the story of Adam and Eve. Theirs, of course is a tale of temptation. What does this account teach us? We glean several lessons. The lesson we want to dwell on today is that Evil Incarnate (the Devil, if you will) can come to us in a variety of ways. Though most of us have never encountered a talking snake, that’s the form the devil took in this scenario. The point is, when we are tempted, and we can be at any point in life, we must be ready to stand up to the evil that’s presented, no matter what form it comes in! We have so much benefit of others’ experiences that we should be able to remember those experiences and know better than to succumb to the devices of evil, no matter where they come from. As you move through this first full week of Lent, beware…!
Tuesday, March 15 -
As I re-read yesterday’s devotion I was taken by the ominous way I left you as you began your week. Maybe that’s not all bad, when I think about it. Lent is a time when we need to reflect and remember those things in life that we often neglect or forget the rest of the year. One of those things is the temptations we all face. When we succumb to temptation, and we all do from time to time, we could look to the Psalms for comfort. Psalm 32 begins by saying “Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” That was a particularly prophetic psalm in that with Jesus Christ we are forgiven, even when temptation wins out—temporarily!
Wednesday, March 16 -
Paul writes about sin in the 5th chapter of Romans. He’s describing what theologians call “The New Adam” (Jesus Christ). Our scriptures this week remind us of some of the circumstances of temptation that are scattered throughout our Bibles. Temptation is also scattered throughout our lives. None of us are exempt. None of us can mature past it or out-grow it like we might grow out of child-hood illnesses. But, we must remain ever vigilant. We need to be constantly on the look-out for evil in whatever form it might decide to rear its ugly head. Concentrate today on that important phrase in our Lord’s Prayer, “lead us NOT into temptation…”
Thursday, March 17 -
Today is known in our culture as Saint Patrick’s Day. The “luck of the Irish” is typically associated with this Spring-time holiday. “Luck” is a word we throw around a little too loosely at times. It is NOT “lucky” that Jesus Christ became the new Adam. It’s not “luck” that we have claimed the name Christian. Luck had nothing to do with anything we read about in God’s holy Word. Instead, it is by the grace of God that we are at the place in our lives we find ourselves today. It’s not luck that kept us from that latest temptation. Instead, it is God’s unconditional love…!
Friday, March 18 -
Jesus’ answers to all three temptations in this week’s passage were, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’; again, it is written, ‘Do not put the LORD your God to the test’; and ‘worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’” Notice that when tempted, Jesus pointed to God every time. We might want to remember that at the time of our temptations. If our minds are on God and we are quick to point to God at every turn, our temptations will be much easier to handle.