![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2011\/03\/lead_me_not_into_temptation_tshirt-p235256096948864893qiak_400.jpg\")
<\/a>In seeking a thought-provoking picture about temptation to kick off this devotion, I noted that they were almost all one of two general types: (a) photos of women being tempted by food, especially chocolate; and (b) seductive, revealing photos of young, buxom female beauties, presumably representing the most common and compelling temptation for men.<\/p>\nBut there are temptations other than overindulging in rich food or engaging in illicit, casual, uncommitted sex. I should wear a shirt like the one in this photo. No matter how many unread books are already on my shelf, no matter the state of our family budget, lure me into a bookstore, and you can be sure I won\u2019t walk out without at least one more book to add to my library.\u00a0 It\u2019s not exactly \u201cshop \u2018til you drop\u201d, but more like, \u201cThere\u2019s always room for one more on my shelf\u201d, and \u201cI\u2019ll read it later.\u201d<\/p>\n
Discussion Questions<\/h3>\n\n- We pray, \u201cLead us not into temptation.\u201d What do you think of when you hear that phrase?<\/li>\n
- What are the temptations that follow you around like your shadow which you can only acknowledge to yourself?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, March 13, 201 (First Sunday in Lent)<\/h3>\n
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7<\/a><\/p>\nRomans 5:12-19<\/a><\/p>\nMatthew 4:1-11<\/a><\/p>\n(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser<\/a>. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings<\/a>.)<\/p>\nFor lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.<\/a><\/p>\nGospel Reflection<\/h3>\n
Matthew tells us that \u201cJesus was led up by the Spirit <\/em>into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.\u201d Don\u2019t you think that rather strange? The same Spirit that descended and alighted on him in his baptism just a few verses earlier, now seemingly leading<\/em> Jesus into temptation? What happened to \u201cLead us not into temptation\u201d?<\/p>\nIt\u2019s interesting that the Greek word used by Matthew can mean either \u201ctemptation\u201d or \u201ctest\u201d. One commentator remarks, \u201cApparently, Satan tempts, but God tests.\u201d<\/p>\n
About what is Jesus being tested by God? God\u2019s voice had been heard at Jesus\u2019 baptism saying, \u201cThis is My Son, the Beloved . . .\u201d In announcing Jesus\u2019 birth, the angel had quoted the prophet who said the name of the young woman would be \u201cEmmanuel, which means God with us.\u201d So, how ready is<\/em> Jesus to be God\u2019s Beloved, to take on the mission given to him of being the very presence of God in the world? What means would he use to fulfill that mission?<\/p>\nSatan prefaced each temptation with, \u201cIf<\/em> you are the Son of God . . .\u201d How much would Jesus really trust<\/em> the voice from heaven that proclaimed him the Son? Would he base his life on his God-given identity as the Beloved, or would he try to forge his own identity as a wonder-worker or oriental despot?<\/p>\nMatthew doesn\u2019t describe the struggle that Jesus surely must have experienced in hearing Satan\u2019s temptations. Is something really a temptation if it isn\u2019t somehow within our grasp for the taking, and if it doesn\u2019t involve a sacrifice to deny it?<\/p>\n
But in the end, Jesus turned Satan down. He would live out his identity as the Beloved and fulfill his mission, not by pulling out the \u201cGod card\u201d as Satan counseled. Instead, he would do the opposite. To be God with<\/em> us, he had to become human<\/em> before God, just like us. Paul writes to the Philippians that \u201cthough he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God a something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness.\u201d He wasn\u2019t going to jump from the parapet of the temple, because flesh and blood doesn\u2019t survive such a jump.<\/p>\nDon\u2019t you find hope in Jesus\u2019 victory over temptation and his passing God\u2019s test? Son of God though he was, Jesus was no different in this respect from you and me. Temptation was as strong, as real, for him as for anyone of us. And being in human form, his power to resist was no greater than ours. Temptation strips all, including even Jesus, of any power of our own to save ourselves. Why else would Jesus teach us to pray for God<\/em> to deliver us from evil?<\/p>\nJesus relied on his God-given identity as the Beloved, and on all of God\u2019s promises in Scripture, to pass the test and resist Satan\u2019s tempting offers. All alone out there in the wilderness with Satan, that\u2019s all Jesus had to rely on.<\/p>\n
When we face our own temptations, whatever they are, that\u2019s all we <\/em>have to rely on too. But it will be enough.<\/p>\nDiscussion Questions<\/h3>\n\n- <\/strong>High school students interviewed in an episode of Real Faith TV<\/em> list drinking, drugs, sex before you\u2019re ready, and cheating on test as the Big Four temptations in their lives, and the lives of their peers (http:\/\/realfaithtv.com\/realfaithtv\/09-10_episodes.html<\/a>) Do you agree?<\/li>\n
- Do you think there\u2019s always something deeper<\/em> going on when we are tempted? That is, some dissatisfaction with out lives as they are that makes us particularly vulnerable to temptation?<\/li>\n
- Not many of us consider ourselves \u201crich\u201d. But by the standards of our world, most of us are quite comfortable. I would argue that the greatest temptation for us in our society is to rely on our affluence for our security. See I Timothy 6:6-10<\/a>.\u00a0 What do you think?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Activity Suggestions<\/h3>\n
Watch the \u201cMarshmallow Test\u201d and have a good laugh! See yourself in it!<\/p>\n
Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, March 13, 201 (First Sunday in Lent)<\/h3>\n
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7<\/a><\/p>\n Romans 5:12-19<\/a><\/p>\n Matthew 4:1-11<\/a><\/p>\n (Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser<\/a>. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings<\/a>.)<\/p>\n For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.<\/a><\/p>\n Matthew tells us that \u201cJesus was led up by the Spirit <\/em>into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.\u201d Don\u2019t you think that rather strange? The same Spirit that descended and alighted on him in his baptism just a few verses earlier, now seemingly leading<\/em> Jesus into temptation? What happened to \u201cLead us not into temptation\u201d?<\/p>\n It\u2019s interesting that the Greek word used by Matthew can mean either \u201ctemptation\u201d or \u201ctest\u201d. One commentator remarks, \u201cApparently, Satan tempts, but God tests.\u201d<\/p>\n About what is Jesus being tested by God? God\u2019s voice had been heard at Jesus\u2019 baptism saying, \u201cThis is My Son, the Beloved . . .\u201d In announcing Jesus\u2019 birth, the angel had quoted the prophet who said the name of the young woman would be \u201cEmmanuel, which means God with us.\u201d So, how ready is<\/em> Jesus to be God\u2019s Beloved, to take on the mission given to him of being the very presence of God in the world? What means would he use to fulfill that mission?<\/p>\n Satan prefaced each temptation with, \u201cIf<\/em> you are the Son of God . . .\u201d How much would Jesus really trust<\/em> the voice from heaven that proclaimed him the Son? Would he base his life on his God-given identity as the Beloved, or would he try to forge his own identity as a wonder-worker or oriental despot?<\/p>\n Matthew doesn\u2019t describe the struggle that Jesus surely must have experienced in hearing Satan\u2019s temptations. Is something really a temptation if it isn\u2019t somehow within our grasp for the taking, and if it doesn\u2019t involve a sacrifice to deny it?<\/p>\n But in the end, Jesus turned Satan down. He would live out his identity as the Beloved and fulfill his mission, not by pulling out the \u201cGod card\u201d as Satan counseled. Instead, he would do the opposite. To be God with<\/em> us, he had to become human<\/em> before God, just like us. Paul writes to the Philippians that \u201cthough he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God a something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness.\u201d He wasn\u2019t going to jump from the parapet of the temple, because flesh and blood doesn\u2019t survive such a jump.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t you find hope in Jesus\u2019 victory over temptation and his passing God\u2019s test? Son of God though he was, Jesus was no different in this respect from you and me. Temptation was as strong, as real, for him as for anyone of us. And being in human form, his power to resist was no greater than ours. Temptation strips all, including even Jesus, of any power of our own to save ourselves. Why else would Jesus teach us to pray for God<\/em> to deliver us from evil?<\/p>\n Jesus relied on his God-given identity as the Beloved, and on all of God\u2019s promises in Scripture, to pass the test and resist Satan\u2019s tempting offers. All alone out there in the wilderness with Satan, that\u2019s all Jesus had to rely on.<\/p>\n When we face our own temptations, whatever they are, that\u2019s all we <\/em>have to rely on too. But it will be enough.<\/p>\n Watch the \u201cMarshmallow Test\u201d and have a good laugh! See yourself in it!<\/p>\nGospel Reflection<\/h3>\n
Discussion Questions<\/h3>\n
\n
Activity Suggestions<\/h3>\n