Our scripture text for this past Sunday was Jesus’ temptation by the Devil in the wilderness. The Devil invited Jesus to self-sufficiency as he suggested, “ For nourishment, don’t trust God — trust yourself! With your service, don’t trust God — trust me! And for loving care — well, let’s be honest, who can you trust? God? Really? If you believe that, why don’t you jump from this tower — and then we’ll see how many angels come to your rescue!”
At first when you look at the Devil’s temptations, one might think that the devil is pretty crafty and is hoping that the three temptations will speak to Jesus’ humanity and perhaps uncover some weak points.
Well, we know, it doesn’t. As a matter of fact, Jesus’ identity as Child of God is highlighted on his dependency upon God for all things. I would invite us that this is really what the temptation story is about. It is about how we decide to live out our lives and live into our own baptismal identity as Child of God.
Each day, we make a choice. Will we choose to trust God for all, as God as promises to provide or will we try and be self-dependent and depend upon on our own powers? Jesus’ chooses to depend upon God for all and invites us, Children of God, to do the same.
May the Holy Spirit give us trust and faith to receive God’s abundant provisions and care. If you wish to talk or need prayers, please contact me at pastor@stmatthews-elca.org.
Blessings and prayers,
Pastor Lesley