Ash Wednesday

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I. Me and We
Shortcuts
II. God
Luke 4:1–2 NRSV
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. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.
AFter Jesus was baptized, the holy spirit led him into the wilderness. Luke tells us that there, he was temped three times.
Luke 4:3 NRSV
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”
Luke 4:4 NRSV
Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ”
Bread
First, We learn that Jesus didn't eat anything while he was in the desert and he was famished. The temptation the enemy tempted with Jesus was to care for his physical needs.
The first temptation was legitameit. Jesus had a real physical need. The tempation was to use his powers for his own gain. Sure, Jesus could have done this, but he used his powers, later, to provide bread to those who were hungry.
Jesus chose to trust God, even though he was hungry. God would provide.
[thought: How many times to I choose to satisfy my own hunger? How many times to I use my "power" or "resources" to find satisfaction and satisfy the deep hunger of my soul? What does it mean to trust, rather than to use my gifts for myself?]
Do I "Feast" on the word of God? DO I allow God's word to feed me? Fill me? satisfy me?
Kingdoms
Luke 4:5 NRSV
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
Luke 4:6 NRSV
And the devil said to him, “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.
Luke 4:7 NRSV
If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”
Luke 4:8 NRSV
Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ”
No pain. No cross
The second temptation dealt with Jesus' purpose.
Would Jessu gain his destany through this shortcut? No pain? No Cross? Or would he submit to God's will, even though it meant pain and suffering?
[Thought: How many shortcuts do I take when the 'going gets rough?" Do I shy away from the cross God has given me and instead choose some way that is easier, more convienient, and quicker?"
Protection
Luke 4:9 NRSV
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,
Luke 4:10–11 NRSV
for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
Luke 4:12 NRSV
Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”
The third temptation dealt with Jesus' relationship with God. Would God come through and protect him like he said he would? The Devil quoted scripture to that effect, calling on Jesus to test whether God would fulfill his promise.
Jesus wasn't going to test God. WHo wants to be in a relationship where you think you must 'test' the other person? Who wants their trust to be tested?
[Thought: I don't have to put God to the test. When I am in need, I know he will be there.]
III. You and Us
Luke 4:13 NRSV
When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Luke 4:14 NRSV
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country.
Luke 4:15 NRSV
He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
all the tempations were for Jesus to take short cuts.
Sometimes shortcuts work, sometimes they don’t.
Are you God's child?
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