Rev. Wesley Menke
6 March 2022
First Sunday in Lent
War and violence are all too real. The current war in Ukraine is a sobering reminder of this. One of the things that helps to create peace is faith. Faith is a non-violent act. The devil tempts Jesus in three different ways, each with things that can result in harm to others. So Jesus responds creatively and with faith.
The first temptation is to turn stone into bread. This is a temptation to capitalize on the needs and scarcity of others. Rather than succumbing to this test Jesus reframes the confrontation into the power of God’s word. The Word of God is supreme in its power and its ability to shape minds and behaviors. During the pandemic we had to fast form communion. Why? Because it was not safe to gather and break bread. Worship continued and we were forced to focus on God’s word which is what makes the sacraments holy anyway.
The second temptation is when the devil led Jesus up to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and offered them to Jesus in exchange for Jesus’ submission. The devil offered glory and authority! Jesus reframed the offer to highlight what is more important worship and service to God. Empire and nation building has been fraught with violence from time immemorial. Religion has been used to justify much of this. The reading from Deuteronomy 26 would have us remember that all land belongs to God as do we. While people move from one place to another; all places belong to God.
The third temptation is a violence against self. The devil tempts Jesus to attempt suicide. Suicide, a disease of despair, affects many types of people, but especially persons who have been traumatized by violence. Veterans of war and combat are at risk of suicide. Let me say that if you have thougth about suicide, please don’t do it. We need you here. God forgives our sins and has purposes for us to exist. Jesus said to not test God. This means we are to work for justice, and to build and create just and safe structures for the flourishing of human life.
A few weeks ago I was struck by a vehicle as I was walking across the street. I am so blessed and lucky that it wasn’t worse. I had a dream last week in which I relived it. In the dream I was protected by angels. The angels glowed red, green, and yellow. They had lights on them. Then the angels grew into stoplights posted around the corners of the intersection. To not test God means to work for justice and peace.
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