First Sunday in Lent - Let's hunger for the Word

Introduction

40 Days and 40 Nights. Seems like a long time doesn’t it? Can you imagine 40 days without proper food, proper rest? 40 days being bombarded by temptations? 40 days can seem like a long period of time, yet we’ve all experienced in one form or another a strange time in human history through this COVID pandemic. Going on two years now living with social isolation, economic uncertainties. And yet society still tempts us to reach out for material things to make us happy. And the world has once again shifted it’s focus on an increasingly hostile trajectory due to events in Ukraine. The invasion is less than 2 weeks old, and yet must feel like an eternity for those directly impacted. Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. Moses fasted for 40 days and night. Moses led the Israelites out of inslavery, wandering in the wilderness for some forty years. You and I may be wandering aimlessly thinking to ourselved, when will our world turn back to a sense of normalcy. It’s been a long time. We search for answers, scouring the internet for insights. We try and find happiness in the possessions that surround us. Yet we continue to be led astray of what really matters. Today’s reading from Luke provides a wonderful insight for us all. The fact that Jesus used the words of Scripture to deflect worldly temptations offers us proof that the power of the Word is greater than anything life can possibly throw at us. The Word can protect us from sickness, from war, from earthly temptations. We should all hunger for the Word.

Reading

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Luke 4:1-13

It is written ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’ Luke 4:4

There is this hunger in our world today. A hunger for money, for power, for control, at any cost. We see this in Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine as an example. But this hunger is not new. It was rampant during the Roman Empire of Jesus’ day as well. We aren’t meant to live on bread alone, but finding comfort in the exploitation of others is certainly not what God intends fo rus

The devil’s words are frigtening he says that early authority has been given to him, and he can give it to anyone he wants. Scary isn’t it? It’s so easy for us to conclude that this is why the world is in such a state. Yet Jesus simply states that we shall not live on bread alone. It is the word of God that silences enemies.

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD Deuteronomy 8:3

Turn to scripture

Hunger for the Word. Reach for your bibles to find the advice, the answers to all life throws at you. Temptations, uncertainties all life events. If we ground ourselves by turning to scripture for the answers, we will live as God has instructed us to live. Here are a few examples:

Words about Temptation:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Words about Healing:

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed James 5:15-16

Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14

Words about Uncertainty

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Words about War:

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Matthew 24:6

He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Isaiah 2:4

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

40 Day Challenge

Are you reading scripture on a daily basis? If you are that is wonderful. If not, I challenge you to take this period between now and Easter to read one book of the Bible. I’d suggest the Gospel of John. It has 21 chapters, read 1/2 a chapter each day for the next 40 days. If you’re already reading from scripture write me a quick email stating “I’m already ready scripture on a daily basis”. If you’re not, give it a try. Write me a quick email stating “I’m up for the challenge, count me in”. Looking forward to hearing from you. ([e-mail])

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile —the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13

Conclusion

From the beginnings of humankind, we have tried to somehow rebel against God, to really test the one who gave us life. We witnessed how Jesus rejected such testing by turning directly to scripture. The Word. Hunger for it. Use it in your daily lives.

“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, Romans 10:8

Prayer

If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. Psalms 91:9-15