Praying with Scripture
After a comfortable season, Lent can feel abrupt and like we are driven to sacrifice. After feeling like spiritually, we knew what to expect and how to navigate the world around us, Lent can feel like an imposition. We begin this Lenten journey as Jesus did. Being called from affirmation and accolades to go away to the desert, to know God more fully.
After being baptized, after being called the beloved of God, Jesus is driven into the wilderness. Jesus does not mosey or meander. Jesus does not run towards wilderness of temptation. No. The Spirit drives him into the wilderness. The Greek makes it clear that this is a period of testing and tempting.1 Isn’t this how it is for us as well? We find ourselves in times of testing and temptation after things are going particularly well. This is not a coincidence.
It is important to say a bit about who we are calling the devil. In Hebrew, the word is Ha-Satan. We hear in Job about the adversary who talks to God about tempting and testing Job. In Greek, the word in diabolos. This also refers to the One who comes to test. This is what is happening in the wilderness after Jesus’ 40 days. The Adversary is tempting and testing Jesus in preparation for ministry. I wonder if this rings true for any of us. How do we do?
Through the Bible, we hear of the wilderness as a place where people prepare for what is coming next. Noah, Moses, Elijah, and the Israelites all experienced 40 days or years ahead of their preparation for Rainbow covenant, Ten Commandments, new commission from God, the Promised Land.
So, Jesus has been in the dessert for 40 days, fasting and praying where he is anticipating the TEST. Here it comes. First temptation appeals to his physical needs – hunger. “If you are hungry, just turn these stones into bread” Otherwise called the ‘Do you really need that?’ temptation. Jesus replies “Man does not live by bread alone” from Deuteronomy 8:3. God takes care of the Israelites in the desert as God will be cared for in the wilderness and God will take care of us. This is us when we hear a little voice say “a little bit wouldn’t hurt”
Such an interesting thing happens in the second encounter that Jesus has with the devil. After being transported to the Temple, the Adversary said, “Since you are God’s Son, jump.” The devil quotes scripture back to Jesus, Psalm 91: “He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone.” This temptation to test God is clothed in acceptability. This illustrates a vital truth about scripture – we can use it to bless or to curse. We come from a history in which scripture has been used to draw people out, instead of include. We have repented of drawing out slaves and women, Jews, and Samaritans. Where today are we tempted to draw people out instead of hear where we are being called to imagine the circle wider. Will God take care of you? Yes, God has always cared for God’s people, but do not test God.
Lastly, Jesus is shown all the kingdoms and power of the world. The adversary offered it all. Jesus was on to him. From Deuteronomy, Jesus recalled one of the most important truths: Worship the Lord your God only. Jesus dismisses Satan from his presence. After the three exchanges, Jesus has completed the test and the temptations, and he is ministered to by the angels.
Temptation is not always about sex and chocolate. In fact, sometimes, we put sec and chocolate on the front of temptation to avoid talking about indifference, control, and greed. What are your temptations?
Jesus was tempted by the possibility of not revealing himself as the son of God. Jesus was tempted by the powers of this world.
Jesus was tempted by using the power of God for his own gain.
We are tempted to avoid conversations that are hard.
We are tempted to fall back on the known answers, instead of working hard to discover what new thing God is doing.
We are tempted to revise the truth to what we wish it was, instead of what it actually is.
How did Jesus overcome these temptations? He turned to scripture, Deuteronomy was the source for all three refutations. Jesus did not have to ask the devil to hold on, instead these were as familiar to him as television jingles or nursery rhymes or our passwords. Jesus knew Deuteronomy intimately that it formed the basis of his prayer to resist temptation.
It would be tempting and easy to say that we should pray this Lent. In fact, many of us would nod and say that something we do. However, I am not letting any of us off the hook, quite yet. Do you hear Jesus pray with scripture? Each time that the temptations of the world might have overwhelmed him, Jesus prayed with scripture. Where are you praying with scripture? It could be that you have never done it before.
In order to pray with scripture, we need to know some scripture. Of course, I invite you to your own Bible and read. To read and see where God is moving in your prayer life. Let me also invite you to receive a gift this morning. Out on these two tables are verses of scripture. As you come for Communion this morning, prayerfully pick one up. As you take it back to you seat, receive it as a gift of prayer for the week. Use that scripture to pray each and every day of the week. Learn it and know it. Let it be the basis for your prayers.
If it is a verse of joy, pray joy. When you are feeling joy, give thanks to God for your joy! When you are feeling pain, pray for God to give you the insight of joy in the midst of pain. If it a verse of hope, pray hope. Let it be your prayer for yourself and others. If it a verse of crying out against the darkness of life, let it be your prayer for yourself and all who cry out for hope. Let your heart be open to who you might need to pray for. Let your heart by open to those you know and those you have not thought about before.
For me, I started writing out verses and then praying for people I think of with those verses. Think of the 8th verse from the Psalm we read earlier: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Who in your life is in need of learning from God? Is it you? Is it your nephew who cannot seem to find his way? As you pray with that verse, does your heart recall teachers who have shown you the way? Pray blessing on them. Do you think of teachers today seeking to lead our children in the ways that they should go? Pray God’s counsel and watch over them. Let the words of the Bible show you God’s heart for yourself and for others.
This kind of prayer draws you nearer to God’s way. On Ash Wednesday, we listened to Jesus teach us that private prayer was essential to our live of piety, of walking in the way of God. All Lent, we will learn techniques and strategies to pray. So, this morning, step outside of your comfortable place. When you come for Communion, prayerfully select a clip of scripture. Take it home with you. Use it in your prayers all week. Let the words soak into you. Learn this insight about God. Pray this scripture for yourself and others. Then, let God work. God, who minister to Jesus after this testing, will also minister to you.
This is the Gospel of Lord Jesus Christ, thanks be to God. Amen.
1) http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3174
Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 32
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 4: 1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Meditations For Your Week
Sunday, March 5~ Saturday, March 11
Sunday: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.” Matthew 4: 1-2. Even Jesus was tempted. When you are tempted, pray, fast, and lean on God’s word.
Monday: “The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ’ Matthew 4: 3-4. God’s word will sustain you. When are you reading God’s word for sustenance?
Tuesday: “Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’ Jesus said to him, ‘again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ Matthew 4: 5-7. Even tempter can use God’s word. Find times to read the scriptures with others, listening for God’s word among the din of the world.
Wednesday: “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’ Matthew 4: 8-10. It might be easy to be tempted to see the things of this world as exciting as they appear. However, the price is high –worship of other than God. Turn yourself back to God and wait on God’s timing.
Thursday: “Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.” Matthew 4:11. Where are you in midst of trial? There is no way, Look for where the angels will comfort, care, and wait on you.
Friday: “Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. You are a hiding-place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.” Psalm 32: 6-7. God will protect you. God in your prayer closet and call out to God!
Saturday: “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.” Psalm 32: 11. God’s word always calls us to rejoice. Where can you celebrate God’s faithfulness? Where can you celebrate God’s providence?