Lenten Gospel Reflections: First Sunday of Lent Tempted by Satan ~ Matthew 4: 1-11

The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” ~Matthew 4:10

The “Spirit” leads Jesus into the desert for 40 days in preparation for his ministry. It is a period not unlike the Lenten preparation we are about to experience. It is no mere coincidence Jesus encounters the same temptations we face in our daily lives.

The “Tempter” encourages Jesus to change the stones to loaves of bread. Note that he doesn’t simply suggest a few slices. Jesus is tempted to satiate himself, to eat his fill, to have more than he needs. We live a country of obesity and excess, where “enough” is never enough. As stewards we know there is enough food to feed everyone in the world, if it were only distributed equally.

The devil then offers Jesus his “15 minutes of fame.” In one spectacular gesture he can have everyone’s attention. “Like moths to a flame” we too want our moment in the sun. We want to be noticed, acknowledged, given credit for what we do. Why do people spend $700 a month on a car so they can impress someone at a stop light that they don’t even know? Why do people jeopardize their reputations and even their lives just to get media attention?

Finally, Jesus is offered a position of power. Many of us want to be defined by our station in life. We crave the corner office, the great job title, the white linen business card, or the reserved parking place with our name on it. At the very least we want credit for what we do. Sadly for those of us who rely on these things to define our lives: “All glory is fleeting.” None of it lasts. Economic downturns will come and the job or title which defines us will be no more.

Matthew’s message is clear: the faith you experience during Lent can be easily lost when you return from the desert. Our time in the desert is not something to be survived, rather it is a preparation to survive the world to which we return.

© 2011 James E. Carper.  All rights reserved.

All rights are reserved.  You are welcome and encouraged to forward this e-mail to family and friends provided the “© 2011 James E. Carper.  All rights reserved.” is included along with this message.  Organizations, whether for or non profit, are required to receive written approval before reproducing these reflections.  If written approval is given the ”© 2011 James E. Carper.  All rights reserved.” must be included along with this message.