February 14, 2016
My 2016 Lenten Journey: Exploring the
Gospels to discover what following Jesus and becoming more like him would look
like? ‘And I, when I am lifted
up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32 NRSV).
Matthew 4:10 NRSV
~ Jesus said
to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’”
I grew up with an image of Satan as “the booger man:” a horrid,
evil, hurting creature. As a child I had frequent nightmares about “the old
booger man.” But here in this text he doesn’t appear horrible; no horns or
forked tail or pitchfork. No creature like that could ever tempt anybody. As in
the Adam and Eve story in Genesis, even though he comes as a serpent, Satan
nevertheless is “beguiling.”
And note in this text he comes with a Bible under his arm!
Satan quoting Scripture (Psalm 91:11)? [That really shouldn’t be surprising. People have
manipulated the Scriptures since before the ink was dry!
It’s easy to take away the message here, as it relates to my
Lenten Journey. Jesus resisted temptations. Not just any temptations. Every
temptation related to some political manifestation of Jesus’ calling: (1) to do
whatever it takes to be popular—populist, beloved leader; (2) to be a dramatic
headliner, making a big splash and eliciting awe and admiration; (3) to hold
power over vast expanses of real estate—an expansionist. We could probably
relate the names of several current politicians to each of the temptations.
Jesus could have used any, all or any combination of the
temptations for good. But his response was clear: “Be gone, Satan!” His sense
of God’s presence and calling took precedence.
Am I focused
enough on my sense of God’s presence and calling that I am not distracted? Have
I even identified God’s claim and calling upon me?
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John
14:9 NRSV)
“And I, when I am lifted up from the
earth, will draw all people to myself” (John
12:32 NRSV).
That's the
way it looks through the flawed glass that is my world view.
Together in the Walk,
Jim
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