My friends, each one of you are going to make choices, whether you are tempted by the devil, by your own thoughts and feelings of pride and self interest or by another’s similar thoughts and feelings.
The Holy Spirit has never filled me so completely that I could come close to responding the way Jesus did in the enemy territory of His soul. 40 days of Lent pales in comparison to our Savior’s humble strength and grace - after eating nothing to the point of starvation. When you want your way and you can’t get it, that’s the beginning of hunger. The Devil plays on my hunger, just like he played on Jesus’ hunger. The Devil (or at least circular reasoning) says, “Since you’re a person that matters, ask for whatever matters to serve your person.” You don’t have to be your God's Son. You don’t have to command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread, just push, shove, click, buy, sell, make, bake, shake . . . take a pill, make a will, pay the bill, get your fill. But it takes more than that kind of bread to really live.
OK, then - What if you could get anything you want? It’s there for the asking. The Devil doesn’t have to lead you up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth and say "They're yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. The Devil is in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever he wishes. Worship the Devil and they're yours, the whole works." All you need is your TV channel changer, cell phone, electronic comic books – I mean video games. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of eat all you want, drink all you want, experience all you want – and who’s gonna stop us . . . just who’s gonna try?
Jesus is. He refuses our gluttony of power and satisfaction with another Deuteronomy quote: "Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness." (Shema – Deuteronomy 6:4-5).
Let’s say, the Devil takes you to all the hobnobbery of Montgomery, Washington DC or in Jesus’ case – Jerusalem. Let’s say the Devil puts you in the most dangerous threat of public disgrace, humiliation, and utter failure so that you run the risk of losing what will keep you “safe and secure from all alarm:” your best friends, your financial portfolio, your weapons – even your safe place (if you think you have one.) You won’t be expected to jump off the Temple in Jerusalem to prove that angels will come to save you, because you’re not God’s Son. But expect protection from a shortened life span or bad health. You might pray for peace at all costs without sacrifices - hope without failure along the way - faith without sacrifice - and love without loss and defeat. But “Don't tempt the Lord your God.” And that may stop temptations for a while like it did for Jesus. But “I do that which I would not do” is part of the battle of unseen powers – and it keeps on going . . . and going . . . ticking . . . and ticking. There’s no Ever-ready answer.
“Hello! What have we here?” said Mr. Z, our Live BIG host in our weekly pre-school children’s lesson focused on the subject of temptation. He picks up a brand new skate board that one of the neighborhood children left in his back yard and eyes with cherished delight while expounding, “A super deluxe speed built road hog with aerodynamic flight; a four inch wheel base with chrome hubs and little shock absorbers (whistle) and detailing worthy of Vincent Van Gough. . . . (whispering) and I want it! Well, maybe I can keep it – you know like (whispering) finders keepers.” He quickly hides the toy just as three of the neighborhood kids come in the yard. “Hey Mr. Z, whasup?” “Oh, nothin’, ha ha. . . . Hey, did any of you kids lose a, uh, skateboard?” “No.” “Why? Did you find one?” “Yeah.” Everybody nods their head silently before quickly deciding to play a game show called “Let’s Make a Choice” with music and mannerisms like the TV show “Let’s Make a Deal.”
Mr. Z starts with an amplified show host voice: “And now it’s time to play ‘Let’s Make a Choice!’ A game of temptation where you decide whether to make a good choice or a bad choice.”
“What’s temptation Mr. Z?” “Well, it’s like a test. It’s like when you really want to do something, but you really know you shouldn’t.” “Was Jesus ever tempted?” “Oh, you bet ya’, but He always made the right choice and obeyed God.” “Are you ever tempted Mr. Z?” Immediately there is the sound of a great church organ playing a minor cadence so as to signal Mr. Z’s guilty “O” expression out to the viewing audience, followed by his, “We’ll talk about that later – and now it’s show time. ‘Let’s Make a Choice’ – take your places for temptation number one.”
The kids line up to take turns looking through a single telescope and Ms. Lucy is at the back of the line. The one up front exclaims, “Wow, a space ship!” Mr. Z explains that they have only seconds left before the space ship disappears to the other side of the earth and that with three kids in front, Ms. Lucy may not get to see the space ship. Her three choices are 1) She could push the others out of the way. 2) She could lie and say that she hears all their mothers calling them. Or 3) She could be polite and let her friends see the space ship. With Clarabelle style honks and Peanut Gallery style cheers, “She chooses #3 and chooses to let her friends see the space ship!”
“Places please for temptation #2.” Just then a sad looking neighborhood kid comes in the backyard and the others ask what’s wrong. He lost his new skateboard. Mr. Z slowly drags out, “Not the super deluxe speed hog with an aerodynamic front, four inch wheel base with chrome hubs and tiny shock absorbers with detailing worthy of Vincent Van Gough?” “Yeah.” The other kids ask, “What does Mr. Z do?” “Choice #1 – Mr. Z could lie and say that he hasn’t seen the toy.” “Choice #2 – Mr. Z could say he saw someone else playing with it.” “Or Choice #3 – Mr. Z could give it back.”
Mr. Z returns the toy and says he’s glad his friend won’t be sad or without what is rightfully his. Mr. Z then recalls how Jesus learned to obey God and to ask God when He needed to make important choices. They all recite the monthly Bible verse, “And the child grew and became strong” - prompting the children to promise to grow up strong in faith, strong in hope and strong in love like Jesus.
Good choices don’t always bring good feelings, or the right results like this children’s show. What if I have to go it alone (like Jesus) without others cheering me on, or without the memory or future hope of personally experiencing the good results?
Please pray with me this personal prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, I’ve seen how my personal sin and others’ sin can grow, like a disease. I’ve also seen how sin stops when I make the right choice. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I will make the right choices when I am tempted to choose selfishly or for others’ selfish pride. Thank you for Jesus’ example and guidance to give instead of grab. Thank You for Your Son, who gave Himself for others and for me. In the precious name of Jesus Christ - Your chosen Messiah – who chooses us for His gift, for His grace, Amen.
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