“What we’ve witnessed in temptations” - 3-09-14 (Lent #1) - Beech Mennonite Church
Scriptures: Gen.2:15-17; 3:1-7
Matthew 4:1-11
Introduction to Lent 2014 theme: “Encountering God: What have we witnessed?”
During these next 7 Sundays of Lent we will journey back in time to visit a number of biblical
characters and see how they encountered God: Adam and Eve, Abraham, Israelites in the
desert, King David, Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones, Nicodemus, a blind man, a Samaritan
woman, Lazarus, etc. We’ve already had our first treat – with our award-winning drama
team taking us back to the scene of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. And we’ve just
witnessed, through the biblical text, the story of Adam & Eve’s temptation. There are two
meanings to the word “witness” – to see a particular event that happens, and then to tell
others about it. As we see how these two things occur in the lives of numerous biblical
characters, we will be encouraged to do the same: “to notice what is happening in and
around us and to share with others our encounters with God.” (1) We’ll come back to this
later.
You’ve heard this one before: “Nothing takes the place of being there.” Jeanette and I
enjoyed watching the recent Winter Olympics. Particularly the opening and closing
ceremonies. Truly amazing displays of color and light, costuming and dance, not to
mention the technology required for those monstrous clouds and houses and people to
float by overhead. We would have gotten even more out of the experience if we had one
of those monster TV screens that cover an entire wall instead of our little 28 incher. But
what must it have been like to be there in that stadium?
Before we go to our two biblical events, I have another story that shows how powerful it
can be when we are able to enter into a Bible story as if we were eyewitnesses. When our
oldest son was a senior at Central Christian, his choir director, Andrea Gerber, was
preparing her choir for state competition. She decided to call in another choir director
from a nearby university for some tips. He talked with them about the emotional dynamic
that happens when singers “get into” the message and the music of their songs. One song
they were rehearsing was “Who’ll be a witness.” It runs through several biblical characters
like Daniel, Sampson, and Nicodemus, but always returns to the question, “Who else will be
a witness for my Lord?” As Jeanette and I sat through their song at state competition, it
was clear to us that they had taken to heart the guest conductor’s suggestions. When the
final note was sung, there was dead silence in that huge auditorium for several impressive
seconds. Then the entire audience was on its feet with a standing ovation. Later we heard
that one of the judges had tears in his eyes when the choir finished.
Maybe one of the Biblical stories during Lent will have a similar impact on you. When
you see how ordinary people in times long ago had life-changing encounters with God, you
too may open yourself to a new work that God wants to accomplish in your life.
So what do we witness in Adam and Eve’s temptation? First, they had it made. A lush
garden with an automatic watering system underground. No weeds or destructive insects.
And walking and talking with God as their best friend throughout the day. Just one
restriction in their otherwise-wonderful life: “You may eat the fruit from every tree in the
garden except this one. Let that one alone. If you don’t, you will die.” Along comes Satan,
cunning serpent that he is, trying to convince them that God’s word didn’t mean much. His
question sets the stage for discontentment. “Did God really say you can’t eat from any tree
in the garden.” “No, that’s not quite right,” says Eve, “God told us we could eat from every
tree except that one, not even touch it.” “Not so,” says the deceiver, “God knows that
when you eat from that one, you will be like God, knowing good from evil.” Half truth.
Total lie. We heard three things about that fruit that caught Eve’s attention as she walked
over for a closer look: it looked delicious, it was pleasing to the eye, and it would make her
wise. Crunch. Then she finds Adam down by the spring getting a drink and she holds out
the rest of the fruit. He takes a bite also. And the devil was right – immediately they were
aware of a new reality – sin. And they realized they didn’t have any clothes on in case God
came by. So they quickly did what they could with some nearby fig leaves.
So what have we observed in the way Adam and Eve responded to temptation? They
had it made. Life was as good as it gets. But two main factors led to their downfall.
First, what they had wasn’t good enough. Just a little bit more, they thought. Why can’t
we have it all? Second mistake – thinking that God isn’t all that serious about what he
commands. Right there is the enemy, ready to capitalize on those two weaknesses found
in all human beings.
We see several contrasts in Jesus’ temptation, as compared to Adam and Eve’s. Jesus
got it right, fortunately. First, the matter of contentment. I suppose, although Mary and
Joseph were by no means wealthy, that they took care of the basics for their son Jesus as he
grew up – food, clothes, shelter. And now, at about 30 and ready to begin his ministry, he
has just had the moving experience of being baptized by his cousin John. A dove lands on
his shoulder and a voice comes from the sky, “This is my Son. And I am proud of him.”
But after this emotional high, there is the need for testing before he gets on with his
mission. “The Spirit led him into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” (perhaps better
translation “to be tested.”) So now, perhaps for the first time in his life, Jesus is facing
shortage. He is told to fast, not that there was much to eat anyway out there in the
wilderness! So temptation #1 is to use his supernatural power to turn stones into bread.
“No,” he says. “I must skip food in order to focus on God’s ability to provide for my needs.
He tells the devil, “It is written, man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that
comes from the mouth of the Lord.” That was a quote, by the way, from Moses when he
was preparing his people to enter the Promised Land. Test # 2 – “Jump off the top of this
temple if you are God’s Son.” And then, seeing how effective scripture can be, the devil
throws in a verse himself, “After all, scripture says that God will send his angels to rescue
you.” The temptation to be important. Do you notice any similarity with Adam/Eve’s
temptation? “You will be like God.” Again Jesus quotes scripture in his refusal to listen to
Satan’s voice. Then Test #3 – “Just worship me and I’ll give you all the kingdoms of the
world with all their splendor. Not only can you become important, you can be powerful if
you listen to me.” And again Jesus quotes Moses in Deuteronomy and the enemy has to
leave, at least for awhile, after these three encounters with God’s Word.
In her book Caring Liturgies, Susan Smith observes this about Jesus’ temptations in
today’s story. “Holding firm to his core by the power of the Spirit…Jesus integrated (the
Tempter’s assaults) into a deeper strength and compassion, … His endurance, a gift of the
Spirit, came out of his character, but also out of a tremendous effort. He was different after
the desert. He was ready for his ministry…” (2)
A brief look now at some present-day examples of people’s response to temptations.
There are plenty of negative ones, of course. Pro baseball players who aren’t satisfied with
their multi-million dollar salaries and, wanting to be #1 in the record books, use illegal
substances to get there. Or the former ruler of Ukraine – with the billions of dollars he
bilked out of his own people to support his lifestyle. But there are also the heroes.
Persons, in particular, who know God’s Word and take it seriously. Doing what God says,
regardless of the cost, and finding the inner strength to follow through. The present Pope,
for example, seems to be charting a different course than previous ones, ignoring the
pressure to adopt the lavish lifestyle deserving of his position for a simpler way of life.
Henri Nouwen was a brilliant professor at Harvard. But he sensed, and obeyed, God’s call
to give up his important status to work in a home for mentally handicapped adults. Right
here at Beech we had two “witnesses” who shared last Sunday about how they have seen
God at work in helping them with the temptation of addictions. And I expect that sharing
their struggles with us will give them added strength over the coming days.
Finally what have you personally witnessed in your own times of temptations?
Thinking of our two contrasting Bible stories, do you find yourself more likely to give in to
temptation when life is good or when it is a real struggle? You might be just cruising along
happily, but begin to think, “What would it feel like to have just a little more… a little more
pleasure, a little more importance in other people’s eyes, a little more power? Or when
nothing is going right, resources are scarce, and you feel all alone in the desert, you’re
tempted to take a short cut that you know is off-limits? It is possible to fall in both
pleasant and difficult situations. It is also possible to experience victory over temptations in
either situation. Many of us have witnessed the power of God’s Word in helping us stay on
the right path.
Speaking of the power of scripture, here’s a great one. Some of you know it in the
KJV. Here it is in the New Living Translation - “The temptations in your life are no different
from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be
more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you
can endure.” (I Cor. 10:13) Quoting God’s Word is often that “way out”.
Which begs the personal question: How is your Bible reading? Can I challenge you to
take thirty minutes a day during these next weeks of Lent? Try 15 min. of reading and then
15 min of quiet/prayer and perhaps jot down your thoughts in a journal. You’ll be better
prepared to be a witness for the Lord. As you reflect back on the previous day, you will
more likely see those circumstances when God clearly was doing something in your life.
Jotting it down will make your observations permanent and perhaps prompt you to share
with someone else how God is at work. I expect to see a number of you giving witness
over the next few weeks of your encounters with God, including the ways he is helping you
overcome temptation.
Sources:
(1) Leader - Winter 2013/14 – p. 24
(2) Caring Liturgies – Susan Marie Smith – p.110-111