First Sunday in Lent, 02/14/2016

Sermon on Luke 4:1-13, by David Brooks

Let’s pull the curtain aside for a moment and observe a family rising in the morning to get ready for work and school. Let’s say that one of these family members is a morning person, the early riser, the “lets hit the ground running” member of the team. The others are not. As early riser moves through the house, he is aware that the others of his household are still fighting the cobwebs, still struggling to get all systems online. Normally, he lets this go, but today he cannot resist a gentle dig—I’ve seen slugs move faster, he says to one pajama clad teenager.

The teenager, as teenagers do, responds with a less than respectful retort.

The father responds with a clear reminder about manners and respect.

The mother from a distant bedroom, herself still slightly foggy, calls out that the teen should be left alone.

You can well imagine that by the time this family finally heads out to the door, there have been two quick, sharp arguments, a intense burst of tears from the middle child, and a set of farewells that are perfunctory rather than heartfelt.

And everyone goes to his or her respective day with a bewildered and aggravated mixture of “what went wrong?” and “those crazy people!”

A banal little story, one all of us have experienced in some form or fashion, and all the more boring because it is so common to us all.

By contrast, the story Luke tells of Jesus in the wilderness is anything but ordinary. Forty days without food! Spiritual assaults by the devil! Alone and apart, far from friends and supporters!

But I want to draw your attention to the ordinariness of these temptations. Who would argue about food when you’re famished? Who would say that power—especially in the hands of one inclined to do good—should be refused? Who would think that seeking an ecstatic religious experience was problematic? In truth, this point of encounter between Jesus and Satan is emblematic of where we are all tempted—to secure for ourselves sustenance, security, and spiritual wholeness. And where do we do such things? In the midst of ordinary life. The simple fact is that temptation rarely occurs in such a way that we are aware of it as a titanic spiritual struggle—it is much more the simple situations that we find ourselves in every morning, noon, and night. Martin Luther was particularly aware of this, and recognized that it is in our regular day-to-day engagement with our families, our friends, our co-workers, our employees and so on that the real battle over temptation occurs. To read his examination of the Ten Commandments is to see that the greatest danger to temptation for each of us is to be indifferent to those times and places that are ordinary to the point of being banal. For example:

(Do not Murder) we [should] harm no one, first, with our hand or by deed. Then, that we do not employ our tongue to instigate or counsel thereto. Further, that we neither use nor assent to any kind of means or methods whereby any one may be injured. And finally, that the heart be not ill disposed toward any one, nor from anger and hatred wish him ill...
(Do Not Steal) [let it not] be...taken too narrowly, but made to extend as far as we have to do with our neighbors... it is herewith forbidden, in the first place, to do our neighbor any injury or wrong (in whatever manner supposable, by curtailing, forestalling, and withholding his possessions and property), or even to consent or allow such a thing, but to interpose and prevent it. And, on the other hand, it is commanded that we advance and improve his possessions, and in case he suffers want, that we help, communicate, and lend both to friends and foes.
(Do Not Bear False Witness) we have now the sum and general understanding of this commandment, to wit, that no one do any injury with the tongue to his neighbor, whether friend or foe, nor speak evil of him, no matter whether it be true or false, unless it be done by commandment or for his reformation, but that every one employ his tongue and make it serve for the best of every one else, to cover up his neighbor's sins and infirmities, excuse them, palliate and garnish them with his own reputation.

When we consider the last time we were ill-disposed toward someone or prevented someone from full enjoyment of their possessions, or spoke in a way that damaged someone’s reputation or standing, it’s a wonder that we don’t go out each and every morning and return each and every evening with that mix of bewilderment and aggravation present in my little story. Do not be mistaken: in each and every ordinary moment of life, you are handling, engaging, working alongside something rare and beautiful—a creature of God, someone who is God’s handiwork, someone who is deeply loved by God and whom God desires to save and to bring to spiritual maturity.

Thankfully, there is one more ordinary item at work in this story of Jesus being tempted, ordinary because it is so very extraordinary: the Spirit is at work in this moment. Jesus has this encounter because the Spirit leads him to it, and the Spirit that guides Jesus into this encounter is also present to all of us who are baptized into Christ Jesus. This same Spirit of power and of gentleness, of truth and mercy, is present to and with you and me. It is the Spirit, the very presence of God, which makes every ordinary encounter with every person a moment charged with possibility, if we will be led. In every so-called temptation there are two forces at work—the Holy Spirit which would shape us for kingdom living and that spirit of deceit which always looks for an opportune time work in opposition to God.

As we enter into Lent, let us be on guard so that we would not be misled by the ordinariness of the moment and be led to work in opposition to God. Instead, let us look for the glorious Holy Spirit, which is at work within us and for us. The Spirit is found in the most ordinary times and places, doing that work of God so that all of creation might be restored. And that same Spirit is leading and guiding you at every time of the day. Amen.

Pr. David Brooks
Columbia, SC, USA
E-Mail: Pr.Dave.Brooks@zoho.com

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