Tag Archives: journey with Jesus

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Tempted by the Devil!

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“Tempted by the Devil!”

Luke 4:1-13 (4:2) – March 9, 2025

With the coming of March, our thoughts can turn to the coming of spring, of Easter, and of spring break. My son Peter will have spring break this coming week, and he has taken advantage of the opportunity to go on a trip. He flew to New York City for six days, to spend time with one of his good friends who is now living there. My son was very much looking forward to this journey, and I hope he has a wonderful time with his friend.  

My son has not made a journey like this for several years. The last trip he made two years ago was by train to New England. As I have been thinking about Lent, similarities with travel popped into my head. The Rabbi Jesus traveled a great deal through His life. He made stops at various places, staying at some for a longer time, some for a shorter time.  Jesus made a journey; a significant journey, a lifelong journey. Specifically, His journey through His public ministry is the subject matter for the four gospels in the New Testament.

Our scripture passage for today tells us about the beginning of that journey. This is one of the first major things recorded in the New Testament. The temptation of our Lord is a really significant event that happened to Jesus. Yes, it’s huge in His life experience. And, we can gather many spiritual principles and several excellent Scriptural examples for our hearts and lives.

We know about the temptations that the Devil used to try to get under Jesus’ guard. These words help to provide us with a big map, where we can more clearly see Jesus and the beginning of His journey. In the same way, each of us has started our individual journey through life. We are all on the way. We all have stops at various places, some big, life-changing events, and some small, little happenings that are hardly worth writing home about. But, all of us are on a journey, too, and we’re actively involved in our journey, at any point along the way.

This Scripture reading is – as I said – foundational for the life and experience of Jesus. Each of our Scripture readings during Lent will be telling us about one of the phrases (or, as they are referred to in “church-speak,” petitions) from the Lord’s Prayer. These clear connections are not necessarily in order, but all the phrases are there. We say the Lord’s Prayer each week; this pattern prayer is meaningful to untold millions of people. Today’s connection is to “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” [1]

Except – what does temptation look like for each of us? If we are unsure about exactly what temptations are, we might not be able to avoid them. Or, we might not be able to answer the Devil back when he tempts us with these sneaky, shiny, sleek, or surprising temptations.  

If we consider some temptations for our children, or our grandchildren, recognizing them can be more straightforward. For example, we might list some familiar temptations such as a plate of cookies left on the counter, or a cool item (maybe a smart phone) left unattended in a very public place, or a set of test answers in such plain view that you can hardly help but see them on the desk of the student next to you. [2]

 However, it’s harder and more nuanced when we come to adult temptations. Sure, some are obvious! Like tempting to outright steal, or flat out lie, or hoodwink blatantly, or a “racy” conversation about sex, or drugs, or power dynamics. Can you and I resist when such tempting rewards are dangled in front of us?

We can read about the three temptations that Jesus faced in the wilderness. You remember, the Devil said, “If you are God’s Son…” Yes, and we see how absolutely effective Jesus was at confronting the Devil with direct quotes from the Word of God! Praise God, we can pattern our lives and behavior after our Lord Jesus.

What would Jesus do today, with our current temptations? Really, and seriously?

In today’s Gospel reading from Dr. Luke, we see Jesus going toe to toe with the Devil. Yes, the Devil is trying “to sow mistrust! You may go hungry; you do not have enough; how do you know God is trustworthy?” [3] We see that our Lord Jesus replies with Scripture. I consider knowing the Bible that well is certainly a help in time of trouble, a refuge and a strength, truly!

Following our Lord’s example, you and I can also get familiar with the Word of God. We can read it on a regular basis, and get so well acquainted with it that we will also be able to answer the little and not-so-little temptations that come up each and every day. To quote from Psalm 119:11, “Your Word I have hid in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” Plus, reading God’s Word, the Bible, is a wonderful way of building a relationship with our Heavenly Father. This is another tool that God gives to us, to help us along the journey through life.

Except – is our simple solution simply having a magic Bible verse for every situation?

As commentator Dr. David Lose says, he wonders “if it’s not so much that Jesus quotes Scripture to deflect temptation as it is that Jesus finds in Scripture the words to give voice to his trust. Because at the heart of each reply is Jesus’ absolute trust in – and dependence on – God for his identity and future.” [4]

I would like each of us today to consider the crucial link between trust and temptation. If we allow natural insecurity to twist our minds and hearts so that we mistrust God for our daily needs, our daily bread (to quote the Lord’s Prayer), where does that leave us? I think that natural insecurity, that lack of trust in our Heavenly Parent leaves each of us flailing and floundering in the wilderness, not on the journey with Jesus. This is the really important part: flailing and floundering is exactly where the Devil wants us to be!  

If that mistrust of God is the case, then we are open to the possibility, appeal, and temptation of the proposition that it is all up to us, that God is not able to provide and so we’d better take matters into our own hands. [5]

Certainly, we are each on the journey with Jesus. It is a day-by-day journey, one day at a time. The best part is that Jesus is traveling with us, by our side. That’s a promise, too. There is a lot to celebrate! God has promised never to leave us, or forsake us. Even though life happens, even though tough times come, Jesus travels with us. And that’s a promise we all can trust.

Amen, amen!

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] Http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2016/01/year-c-first-sunday-in-lent-february-14.html

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/trust-and-temptation

[4]  Ibid,

[5] Ibid.

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Let’s Go Deep!

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“Let’s Go Deep!”

Luke 5:1-11 (5:4) – February 9, 2025

When did God become real to you? Were you sitting in Sunday school, when you felt deep within that God was real, and you felt wonder? Or, were you at a camp or retreat, around a campfire, when something let you know God was the real thing, and you felt nothing but awe? Or, perhaps, were you praying next to a loved one’s bed in the hospital, and you powerfully understood that God is real, and you felt deep comfort? Have you had a God-encounter?

            The situation here today is where God becomes real for these people. Edward just read the Gospel lesson from Luke 5 to us, and we heard about Jesus calling the first disciples. But, we need to back up in this reading, before the Rabbi Jesus calls anyone to be a disciple.  

            We break into the action quite early in the public ministry of Jesus. So early, in fact, that He has not even called anyone to follow Him, to be His disciples. We see Rabbi Jesus, alone, teaching, preaching, healing, and beginning His ministry. Luke starts off with the phrase “One day as Jesus was standing on the shore of the Lake of Gennesaret.” I think Doctor Luke meant this to say that this was a typical day in the life of Jesus. Teaching, preaching, doing miracles. All in a day’s activities, for the Rabbi Jesus.

            But, Jesus is not the only one mentioned in this Gospel reading today. We are introduced to Simon. (or Simon Peter, but that name comes later on.) Simon did not have a good night fishing. In those days, people fished at night.

“The fishermen would spend the night in the shallows, tossing their nets and pulling in the catch. Then as dawn broke, they would bring the fish to shore and sell them at the market. Because of a lack of facilities for preserving fish, this was a daily event. Except this day.” [1]

            Have you ever had a bad day (or night) at work, too? Or how about at school? Has everything gone off the rails? Did you get off on the wrong foot? Or, was your supervisor, or teacher, or co-worker just downright grumpy, and their negative attitude threw a monkey wrench into the whole day?

            I suspect our friend – and future disciple – Simon could relate. He caught nothing the whole night long, so he had nothing to sell at the local market, and nothing to take to his folks at home to eat. No one knows for certain how Simon was feeling, but I know that many people in a similar situation would feel demoralized, defeated, or just plain empty inside. All because the nets had been empty all night long! But this Gospel reading does not only feature Jesus and Simon, No, there is a crowd, too!

The crowds who have gathered to hear the Rabbi Jesus teach and preach—and watch the miracles!—I suspect are filled with wonder, curiosity, and questions. Who is this rabbi with such clarity in teaching the word of God? Who is this rabbi with such power and authority? Yes, we see the people crowding around Jesus so much that He got in a boat by the seashore, put out a little way, and then preached to the crowd.

(Did you know—little known fact—that Jesus was using the natural amplification of the water to make His voice heard better? When someone is out in the water a little distance from shore, their voice can be heard as naturally amplified because of the sound waves bouncing off or echoing off of the surface of the water and traveling on towards the shore.)

            Doctor Luke tells us what happened next. When Jesus was done preaching, He asked Simon to cast off, take the boat out again, and lower his nets. Now, fishermen would customarily dock the boats, then wash their nets away from the boats. They had already cleaned up after a night and early morning’s work and were ready to go home. [2]

And yes, this non-fisherman Rabbi Jesus asked Simon to start all over again. To go out into the deep water and go fishing – again! In the daytime! Against his better judgment, Simon agrees to traipse out to the deep water to go fishing, even though they have worked hard all night, because Jesus requested that he and his co-workers go out and try fishing again.

We know what happened. Hardly had the nets gone into the water, but the fish came swimming into the nets. The nets were filled to bursting! It was a miracle. Simon Peter and his co-workers experienced it—they were eye witnesses.  

“Just think. A little invitation from Jesus, a small inconvenience, and before you know it, Simon was in over his head. Did Jesus show up that day looking for followers? Or was that a bonus? The catch of the day?” [3] Was this all because Jesus asked them to go deep, and to set sail for deep waters?

What was the surprising response? Continuing from Luke 5: “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.”

What happened? Simon Peter had a God-encounter, there in the boat. God became real to him. Simon Peter deeply experienced God as very real to his life, but couldn’t handle it. What is Jesus’s unexpected response? Jesus tells Simon Peter and his co-workers, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” Jesus calls them into a God-encounter.

For Simon Peter and his co-workers, his friends, this was decision-time. They decided to drop their nets on the shore, leave their boats where they were, and follow Jesus. There were many, many people in the crowd who also had the opportunity to follow Jesus, but they did not. The crowd only stayed for the good preaching and the miracles, not the following-Jesus-part.

Has Jesus struck you to the heart and soul, like Peter? Has God become real to you, through this Scripture reading? I encourage you to follow Him today. Thank Him for forgiving your shortcomings and sins. Thank Jesus for inviting you to come with Him for the journey.

What can we do with this newfound, exciting relationship with God? Become a disciple. Go out and talk about how God became real in your life. Talk about God’s Good News, today. God will be wonderfully praised by all who tell how God has become very real to them, and changed their hearts and lives.

How has God become real to you? Go deep. Become a disciple. Go and tell.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/where-you-are-far-horizons/fifth-sunday-after-the-epiphany-year-c-lectionary-planning-notes/fifth-sunday-after-the-epiphany-year-c-preaching-notes

[2] http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/c/5-c/A-5-c.html

[3] https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/where-you-are-far-horizons/fifth-sunday-after-the-epiphany-year-c-lectionary-planning-notes/fifth-sunday-after-the-epiphany-year-c-preaching-notes

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The Waters of Baptism

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“The Waters of Baptism”

John the Baptist – Jesus MAFA

Mark 1:4-11 (1:9) – January 10, 2021

            When you or I think of baptism today, what comes to mind? A family with a precious infant or young child, the little one dressed in a special outfit. The congregation rejoicing as the minister performs the sacrament. Such a special and meaningful way of extending God’s grace.  

            But, let’s go back to our Gospel reading, when John the Baptist preached repentance. Certainly quite a different scene comes to mind. We see John as an outsider, some say a preacher of doom and gloom, and others a mighty prophet of God.

Reading from the Gospel for today, “John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”

            You may remember bracelets and t-shirts with the initials “WWJD” imprinted on them. The words “What Would Jesus Do?” were a Christian, and even pop-culture, trend some years ago. Remembering this trend brings up a valid question. Let’s reframe it into a question about baptism. Who would Jesus exclude? For that matter, who would John turn away from baptism?

            I’d like to develop that question. St. Luke’s Church, our church, is a member church of the United Churches of Christ. This denomination has taken the radical stand of radical welcome. UCC churches are supposed to welcome everyone. That means a radical, open-hearted, open-handed welcome to all people, no matter what. No matter who.

No matter if someone is grumpy, or mean, or stingy. You are welcome here at St. Luke’s Church. No matter if someone is painfully shy, or has some physical or mental infirmity, or has a really strong personality. No matter what your gender or sexual orientation is, either. All are welcome here, in this particular church, too.  

            As we ask “Who Would Jesus Exclude?” from membership in this church, this brings to mind what the Rev. Dr. David Handley often proclaimed from the pulpit in his long tenure at First Presbyterian Church of Evanston. I remember hearing when I was a member there some 15 and 20 years ago. Dr. Handley would often insist in his sermons that the church is not a private club for the righteous, but instead a hospital for sinners.

I mean to say that our church is not to have arbitrary, unspoken rules for who to include and who to exclude from membership. God does not discriminate. God does not blackball prospective members. The UCC has taken the stand of radical welcome to everyone. That means that as a member church of the UCC, St. Luke’s Church takes that stand, too.  

I would like to return to our Gospel reading for this morning. Can you imagine John the Baptist saying, “I’m not baptizing that person!” because John didn’t like him or her? Sure, John had a strong personality. John was headstrong, and determined, and definitely spoke his mind. Many of the Jewish leaders and bigwigs in the Sanhedrin were upset with John the Baptist.

However, I suspect many of the ordinary members of synagogues throughout the region heard John’s message. Some people who had been turned away from synagogues, too. John the Baptist extended that radical welcome – telling all to repent of their sins, get right with God, and come and be baptized as an outward expression of an inward change.

Even some Jewish leaders and synagogue bigwigs heard John’s preaching, and were convicted of their small-minded and biased point of view. Even people John knew who had bad-mouthed and shunned him. I am sure John did not turn them away, but baptized them, too.  

Do you think God was surprised about the conflict in synagogues, and at the Temple? How about the conflict in the early churches? What do you think Paul and Peter, James and John were addressing when they wrote their letters that are included in the New Testament? Sins like hatred, conflict, bitterness and envy do not somehow “scare” God.

Just as in this past week here in the United States, the heightened rhetoric and the storming of the Capitol building did not shock God. God was not surprised or scared of the massive conflict and disruption. God recognizes that people are human. People sin – that is what they do. That is why John the Baptist came, to make people aware of their sin, and to call people to repentance. Baptism lets everyone know about people’s individual, internal change.

This church baptizes infants and small children. As commentator Carolyn Brown says, Infants and children “didn’t even know what was going on; [and] God, their parents, and the congregation loved them and claimed them as their own for all time.” [1] That can be extended to ALL of us. We all have been loved and claimed by God for all time. We are all God’s beloved.

The waters of baptism are here to wash away our sin, in this day and age. And not only that, but to extend God’s grace to those who have gone through the baptismal waters. Yes, we continue to sin, and yes, God does extend grace. We do not become suddenly sin-less, but as we walk with God, we will sin less and less. (At least, that is the hope.)

            I say to you, in the spirit of John the Baptist, Repent, and remember your baptism! Determine to journey with Jesus from this point onwards. Alleluia, amen. 

[1] http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2014/12/year-b-baptism-of-lord-first-sunday.html

Worshiping with Children, Baptism of the Lord, Including children in the congregation’s worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2015.

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!