Lead us not into temptation.
Lent 1, Year A
The Gospel of Matthew says the Holy Spirit lead Jesus “into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Matthew 4:1 The devil tempted Jesus after he had prayed and fasted for 40 days and nights. In the first temptation, the devil sought to undermine Jesus’ commitment to fast by encouraging he to make bread out of stones. Next the devil invited Jesus to jump off the temple roof to show his confidence in God. The devil quoted Scripture to entice Jesus. The devil said
God will command the angels concerning you, ...On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:10-12 & Matthew 4:5-6
In the third and final temptation the devil tried to trick Jesus into replacing his commitment to God with a commitment to things. Things the devil used to recruit and deploy agents of evil: material wealth; political power; and social recognition. Jesus, with God’s help, resisted these temptations. When the devil left Jesus God sent angels to care for Jesus.
During the 40 days and nights of Lent we will be tempted and God will send us angels. Our temptations, like those Jesus faced, will resemble challenges and sins we face in our every day lives. During his earthly ministry Jesus was challenged with the very same temptations the devil presented. God lead Jesus into the wilderness to prepare him. God, who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, (Exodus 34:6) used the 40 days and nights and the temptation to equip Jesus. The church calls us to use Lent’s 40 days and nights to equip and prepare ourselves. We need to prepare ourselves to live faithfully in the days, months, and years after this Lent. We need to equip ourselves to recognize our limitations and confess our sins today and every day. The prayer Jesus taught his disciples contains a petition for reconciliation.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, ...forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
When we recite this prayer we are seeking reconciliation with God, ourselves and others. Reconciliation is a process. A process that includes self-examination, confession, contrition, amendment of life, and reparations for those we harm. In the Ash Wednesday Service, the church bids us to keep a holy Lent by prayer, fasting self-denial, and reading and meditating on the Scripture. The holy habits we take on during Lent should prepare and equip us to reconcile with God, others, and ourselves. Peter failed Jesus, the disciples, and himself when denied Jesus 3 times. Peter allowed his fear of being arrested to cause him to betray Jesus, abandon his colleagues, and lose hope. Even after Jesus’ resurrection appearances, Peter remained hopeless. He stopped fishing for people and returned to his fishing business on the Sea of Tiberias. John 21:1-3 At day break Jesus met Peter at the shore. Jesus questioned Peter 3 times: do you love me more than the money you’re business is earning; do you love me more than you fear what might happen if serve me; do you love me more than the shame you feel? John 21:15-19 Peter replied, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." John 21:17 As soon as Peter replaced fear with faith he was able to cope with his shame. Peter resumed working with the disciples nand devoted the rest of his life to fish for people; loving and tending Christ’s sheep. John 21:15-19
The holy habits you take on in Lent can, like Peter, help you cope with fear and transform grief into resilience. Martha grieved the death of her brother Lazarus. She gave into one of grief’s temptations: blame. Martha blamed Jesus for her brother’s death. She refused to accept that Lazarus’ death was a fact of life. Martha allowed grief to erode her confidence in Jesus and undermine their friendship. When Jesus arrived at the home she, Mary and Lazarus shared, Martha scolded him. Hand on hip, finger pointing Martha demanded,
‘what took you so long to get here? If you had been here my brother would not have died. I’ve seen God give you what you ask for. Tell God to bring Lazarus back.’ John 11:17-22
Confessing her disappointment lightened Martha’s burden. Admitting her doubts made room in her heart for renewed faith. Acknowledging her anger strengthened Martha’s belief. Jesus did not discount her disappointment. Jesus forgave her doubts. Jesus understood her grief. The story of Lazarus’ death is the only occasion recorded in the Gospels where Jesus wept. Jesus, like his heavenly parent, is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Exodus 34:6. He consoled Martha, “Your brother will rise again.” Restored, renewed, and strengthened, Martha affirmed her faith.
I know that Lazarus will rise again in the resurrection on the last day. I believe that that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, come into the world to be. You are resurrection and life. John 11:24-25
The holy habits we take on during the 40 days and nights of Lent can help us cope with shame and fear. Our holy habits have the power to transform grief into resilience. The holy habits you take on should help you reconcile with God, ourselves, and others. This was the case for Nicodemus. He was the sort of person who played it safe. Nicodemus believed and served God in ways that required very few risks. He was on the rota at the synagogue to ensure 12 righteous men were present for daily prayers. He studied the Torah with fellow scholars. He met with Jesus and trained with the disciples at night, when people he knew would not see his comings and goings. John 3:1-17 When his colleagues questioned the authority of Jesus’ teachings and his faith community challenged the authenticity of Jesus’ miracles, Nicodemus did not say what he had seen or describe what he knew. He did not defend Jesus. John 7:45-52. His holy habits, relationship with Jesus, and interactions with the disciples were preparing Nicodemus. Though Nicodemus let himself, the disciples, and Jesus down, his spiritual disciplines were laying the foundation for his transformation. After the crucifixion, Nicodemus stopped playing it safe. He risked his reputation and profession, partnering with Joseph of Arimathea and the female disciples to collect Jesus’ body from Pilate, wash and anoint him, lay Jesus to rest in a tomb, and roll a heavy stone to cover the tomb entrance. John 19:38-42
During the 40 days and nights of Lent the devil will tempt you and God will send angels to minister to you. The holy habits you take on are a spiritual workout. A workout that should strengthen you to resist the devil and prepare you for reconciliation. Ask yourself whether the holy habits you’ve taking on are helping you. Will your spiritual disciplines help you recognize your limitations and equip you to confess, amend your life, and make reparations? Jesus navigated his 40 days and night by talking with God in prayer and fasting from things that could draw him away from God. During the 40 days and nights of Lent commune with God in prayer, fast from things the devil uses to distract and discourage you, and look for God’s angels. As was the case for Peter, Martha, and Nicodemus, holy habits will help you cope with fear, transform grief into resilience, and take risks that reconcile you with God, other and yourself.
