Lent
March 9, 2019
Scripture Reading: Luke 4:1-13
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. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 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. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,
“Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.” ’ –Luke 4:1-8
I write a lot about greed and lust for power. Both are running unchecked, it would seem, throughout our land, perhaps throughout the world. Former President Jimmy Carter noted during the 2016 political campaign that the U.S. Is an ‘Oligarchy With Unlimited Political Bribery’*. I find it rather ironic that people spend millions of dollars to support politicians wanting them to reduce their tax burden. I have wondered if it would cost them less just to pay their fair share of taxes.
The story of Jesus’ sojourn in the desert dealing with the devil assures us that greed and lust for power are not new. They are as old as the Garden of Eden. Lent is our 40-day quest each year to search ourselves through the eyes of God and to intentionally turn away from that which separates us from God and renew a right spirit within ourselves**.
Prayer: O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it. –Psalm 139:1-6
Grant me glimpses of the truths I need to know about myself to refocus my life more clearly toward your vision. Amen.
*https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/jimmy-carter-u-s-is-an-oligarchy-with-unlimited-political-bribery-63262/
**Based on Psalm 51:10