Ash Wednesday was yesterday, and so the Church now begins the observance of the Lenten Fast. I didn’t grow up observing Lent, and I know more than a few Christians still have reservations about this practice, for many reasons. So, to avoid talking about observing fasts, participating in practices that may be labeled “Catholic,” or getting sidetracked in the maze of confusion that is denominational identity; let’s just look at a small segment of the Scriptures that will be read in some churches this week.
This Sunday, someone will take to the pulpit to read this Gospel passage from Luke 4, and for many, it is a familiar story. It is one of those scenes we crave. It’s simple and paints a stark picture of good versus evil. It’s a heavyweight bout of Jesus against Satan where both quote Scripture at each other. As a youth, growing up in an evangelical church, it was an image of an ideal world. One where all you needed to know was how to make the best Scripture quotes and evil would be defeated. It validates every Bible Drill, or Sword Training, class in Church. As a Baptist, I’m sure this scene inspired the saying, “We are people of the Book.” We all want to be such great caretakers of our Scriptures that we grab hold of them and utilize them moment by moment.
I would like, however, to focus on just a few verses of this story. Starting in verse five, Jesus is confronted with a particular temptation; one that I think we are all familiar with, today. It’s the temptation to have power, authority, or clout, if only Jesus will kneel in worship. Often, it’s that image of Jesus being asked to worship Satan that receives the most focus. I remember once hearing a minister reference the scene from 1980’s Superman II where the Last Son of Krypton is told to “Kneel before Zod.” We are meant to connect to this image of defiance. If that is the goal of your sermon…there’s a free allusion to use.
What if, though, we focused not on how Jesus refuses to worship the devil, but what is offered as a temptation. Vast amounts of political power and prestige would be quite a temptation. As Mel Brooks said, “It’s good to be the king.” So, what does it mean that the “King of Kings” rejected this temptation? In my mind, it seems to be more than just, “He knew it wasn’t time for this, yet.” In this season of Lent, we are all trying to find ourselves in this journey to the cross, but however hard we try, we know that we are in the shadow of the resurrection.
Maybe, there is a message in the fact that Jesus is not just turning down the worship of the devil, but that he is also passing on the opportunity to be put in authority over all these kingdoms. And not just to pick up that authority later. When I picture the Jesus here being the same one who is later put to death under the authority of just such an earthly kingdom, it’s not ironic. To me, it’s poetic. Jesus is turning his back on the kind of authority and power so easily associated with kings.
There is no compulsory adoration in Jesus’ ministry.
There is no execution.
There is no war.
When we take the ashes, we are not only reminded that we are mortal. There is a command from the New Testament that is also used.
“Repent and believe the Good News.”
Jesus’ temptation is not just a pit stop on the road to a different kingdom. It’s more than just a glimpse of a different way for God to come to the same ends. It’s not about “Christian Nations,” and it doesn’t paint a road of going through hell to get to heaven. Jesus’ temptation is a moment that sets the tone for the message of Gospel. The message that leads the Messiah to say, “Turn the other cheek,” or “Do not repay evil for evil,” can never be one that rejects authority over kingdoms then just to take it up now.
Jesus was coming to serve then.
Has come to serve now.
And is coming to serve for all time.
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