Luke 4:5-8 (Contemporary English Version) Then the devil led Jesus up to a high place and quickly showed him all the nations on earth.
The devil said, "I will give all this power and glory to you. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. Just worship me, and you can have it all."
Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say: `Worship the Lord your God and serve only [God]!' "
Going Deeper: The devil led Jesus up to a high place. Mountains were common meeting places between God and people. The devil … the lying one quickly showed him all the nations on earth and said, [Hear me saying this in a very slick -slimy really bad salesperson sort of way] "I will give all this power and glory to you. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. Just worship me, and you - can - have - it - ALL." I don‟t know about you, but I think I sound like a commercial for a used car lot!
Isn't this what the people who develop commercials for their latest, greatest products want you to think … just buy this and you‟ll be envied by all … Isn't that what casino owners want you to think … come gamble here and you might get rich … or maybe, if you don't have our product or you don't buy a lottery ticket there‟s no chance you'll have it all.
Drink Coke … it‟s the real thing. That‟s funny. I thought Jesus was the real thing. Well, guess what … the lying one is lying! He lied to Jesus in the desert and he lies to us today. Evil doesn‟t have control of the world. The world doesn‟t belong to evil. Everything belongs to God … Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say: `Worship the Lord your God and serve only God!' Humanity has always been surrounded by people and institutions that covet our allegiance and it takes the power of the Holy Spirit to stand up to those people and institutions to say … No!
Pondering: What commercials really "speak" to you and create a desire within you for something. How do you feel when this desire is stirred up within you and you are unable to fulfill your desire? What institutions compete with God for your allegiance? What is it in your life that you put before God? What role do people have in your life? How often are you asked to do things that cross over the boundaries of what you can do? How are you at saying "no" to the things that you really don't have the desire or the capability to do.
Praying: The Lenten Season is one of prayer and self-reflection. Our Lenten theme at Ashford UMC is "the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit.” I invite you to engage in an adapted daily “Prayer of Examen” either on your own or with family members throughout the season of Lent.
1. Come to the center of yourself and sit in the silence ...
2. At what time during your day did you find your focus and movement toward God and/or God's purposes in the world?
3. At what time during your day did you find your focus in a direction that leads you away from God and God's purposes?
4. Sit in the silence as you contemplate your allegiance to God in the midst of a would in which so many programs, people, institutions and other things vie for your allegiance ...
Contemplate the presence of God in the tension of your life and in your response to the Examen questions above...
“May your heart be filled with the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit”
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