This weekend, we dive into the season of Lent with the events immediately following the baptism of Jesus.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus is led out into the wilderness where he is tempted by the devil. Luke's account is by far the most fleshed out of all the temptation stories in the gospels.
I remember years ago seeing a verse from this passage in an inspirational calendar. It read, "If you, then, will worship me, [all this] will be yours." The only problem was that this was the devil speaking, not God.
Like so many things in this life, it looks really good on the surface. Is beautiful. Even sounds like it might be holy and of God. Except, like Christ in the wilderness, we must test all that glitters to ensure it is truly gold.
Jesus responds to all three of the devil's entreaties drawing inspiration from God's written word. And yet, so many humans, when trying to do the same, find themselves vindicating unholy and truly evil practices in this world. All scripturally backed.
Which is why we are called to not just test everything in this world by scripture. But instead by the very Living Word of God's own self - Jesus Christ. What he said. What he did. What he chose.
And at the heart of all that he did throughout the gospels is what Jesus said to hang all the law and the prophets on: love the Lord your God with everything you have and love your neighbor as yourself.
We cannot love God if we do not love our neighbors. All of our neighbors, whoever or whatever they may be.
So, the question then comes, what in this world is tempting your attention away from loving your neighbors? Telling you to denigrate and hate them? Tear them apart?
What keeps your from serving them with profound love?
Because whatever it is, it keeps you from God.
Blessings,
Rev. Janie
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