-

First Sunday in Lent

March 9, 2025

Luke 4:1-13

Rev. Neli ML

 

The first Sunday in Lent directs us to the wilderness, where Jesus confronts evil forces before beginning his proclamation of the Kingdom of God. According to Luke, as Jesus commits to God in his baptism, he faces evil forces opposing to his ministry:  After his baptism, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil (4,1).

Jesus responds to the devil’s temptations with quotes from Deuteronomy Chapters 6-8, which recount the Israelites’ experiences in the wilderness. Just as the Israelites faced temptations in the Sinai desert when they committed themselves to be the people of God, Jesus also faces similar temptations. Unlike the Israelites, Jesus triumphs over these temptations, resisting the forces of evil and teaching us how to remain faithful to God in our time.

The Devil (Diabolou in Greek), is depicted as God’s adversary, the one or ones opposing justice and well-being in the world.  Luke does not describe the form in which the devil approaches Jesus, but he reveals the temptations. Initially, the devil tempts Jesus to use his divine power to self-gratification, to take care of his own needs. “Since you are the Son of God,” the devil says, “command this stone to become a loaf of bread” (4,3). Jesus responds with words from Deuteronomy, “One does not live by bread alone” (8,3).  He awaits God’s will, trusts in God’s plan, and surrenders his desires to God.  How do we use the power we are given? Do we use it for selfish gain, or do we, like Jesus, trust in God’s provision and seek to serve a greater purpose?

The second temptation concerns political and earthly power—a throne. The Devil presents Jesus with all the kingdoms of the world, offering shortcuts to power and glory: “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours” (4,6-7). Jesus declines to engage with systems contrary to God—the devil’s dominion. He understands how earthly power corrupts humans, leading to domination and oppression. Quoting Deuteronomy 6,13, Jesus answers, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him”. Jesus remains faithful, rejecting the corrupting influence of worldly power, and reminding us that true authority belongs to God alone. Jesus clearly pledges allegiance to the Kingdom of God and teaches us to call the full presence of the Kingdom of God among this world.  

The third temptation takes Jesus to Jerusalem, the city of glory and power. The devil places him at the pinnacle of the temple, urging him to perform a spectacular act to show his power and gain believers: “Since you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you…'.”(4,10) Jesus resists the temptation to use  the same tactics of politicians and religious leaders who seek power in such a manner.

Luke concludes this account by stating, “When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.” No doubt, Jesus faced continual test throughout his life. Even when he was on the cross, he heard a voice saying, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross…” (Matthew 27,40).

Dear sisters and brothers, how frequently are we confronted by different temptations that seek to lead us astray from the path of God? These daily temptations, often subtle and disguised, offer promises of glory, power, pleasure, riches, and even the fleeting allure of earthly power. Falling in to these temptations lead us to selfishness, tyranny, violence, narcissism, and manipulation, aligning us with the powers opposed to God’s Kingdom. Jesus, remaining faithful to his baptismal commitment, where he pledges allegiance to the Kingdom of God, teaches us today how to resist these temptations.

As we begin our Lenten journey, let us commit ourselves to embracing our crosses daily and following God’s path. May we, strengthened by our baptismal covenant, remain steadfast against the temptations that seek to divert us from the path of the cross. Amen.

Image: https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/jesus-tempted/

Comentarios

Publicar un comentario

Entradas populares de este blog

-
Imagen
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany February 23, 2025 Lucas 6:27-38 Rev. Neli Miranda  Today’s Gospel continues Jesus’ teachings addressed to a large crowd of disciples gathered on a plain, as we heard last Sunday. He speaks to a multitude of impoverished, needy people whom he calls “blessed”—a term traditionally reserved for those who possessed material wealth and high social status. However, Jesus subverts this conventional understanding by declaring his disciples blessed, stating, “. . .yours is the Kingdom of God”. This radical statement affirms the dignity of his followers and establishes the foundation for a new community, the community of the Kingdom of God. Jesus and his first followers faced enemies, those in positions of power who dominated and oppressed the people, persecuting and murdering all those who cried out for justice, beginning with Jesus himself.   Amidst this reality, marked by violence and hostility, Jesus urges the new community to live in a transfo...
Leer más
-
  Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 2024 Mark 4,26-34 Rev. Neli Miranda   Jesus began his ministry in Galilee by proclaiming the good news of God, " The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news" (1,15). Jesus did not explain what the Kingdom of God was, but surely his audience knew what he was announcing. For many centuries the people of Israel had suffered domination and oppression at the hands of their own kings and foreign kingdoms. So, the people’s longing for the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth arose amid suffering, under perverse human kingdoms. One can only imagine the people’s joyous rejoicing when Jesus made his announcement of the good news. . . the Kingdom of God was among them!! Today’s gospel presents us with two parables that speak of the Kingdom of God. Parables, a traditional method of teaching in Jesus’ time, are not explanations but a way to provoke the listeners’ thinking, so that they ...
Leer más
-
  Second Sunday of Advent Luke 3:1-6 Rev. Neli Miranda   Prepare the way of the Lord…! In the 6 th century BC, the prophet Isaiah announced liberation to the captive people of Judah who lived exiled in Babylon without hope. He announced their forthcoming liberation and proclaimed, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”   In 538 B.C., with great joy, the Jews initiated their return to the land of Judah, bringing gifts and offerings, including the original temple vessels that had been looted by Nebuchadnezzar. In the 1st century BC, John the Baptist embodied the spirit of Isaiah's prophetic voice crying out in the wilderness, bringing hope to his people who were oppressed under the rule of human kingdoms. Luke meticulously delineates these dominions in a hierarchical structure: Tiberius, the Roman Emperor; Pilate, the governor of Judea; Herod, the ruler of Galilee; his brother Philip, the governor of Ituraea; and Lysanias, the ruler of Abilene....
Leer más