“Temptation to Abuse Power” (Matthew 4:1-11)

Matthew 4:1-11

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Christ in the Wilderness, Ivan Kromskoi, 1872

Pastor Tom Johnson, February 26, 2023

We begin our Lenten journey by joining Jesus into the wilderness. The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into and through the wilderness for 40 days. Sound familiar? God led his people Israel out of slavery and into and through the wilderness for 40 years. And there the people of God faced something far worse than Pharaoh. They faced their demons. They were tempted many ways. One of the main ways was how they dealt with hunger and thirst in the wilderness. They abused their leaders Moses and Aaron. They abused one another. And they tested God by their complaining and lack of faith in God to sustain and direct them. So Jesus, the new and better Israel, is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. He does not eat or drink for 40 days. The dehydration alone could have easily killed him. The devil begins his attack when Jesus is weakest.  

There is an acronym for how Jesus may have felt. HALT: hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. It is not a sin to be hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. It is human. So the devil strategically waited for this opportune time. Satan wants to get Jesus off course—to be sidetracked in the wilderness. He tempts Jesus to abuse his power to address his hunger and thirst. He tempts Jesus to abuse his power for instant popularity. He tempts Jesus to abuse his power for control. These are the three realms of temptation: economic, religious, and political.

The devil tempts Jesus to abuse his power economically—to make bread out of stones—to abuse his power for personal gain and self-interest alone—to get Jesus’ eyes off the infinite needs of the whole world and put all his attention on himself. Aren’t you glad we aren’t also tempted to be self-centered? Don’t expect for the devil to do you any favors. He will not show you any pity when you are hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. The devil and our demons will raise their ugly heads when we are also at our weakest. It is a prison of our own making to be self-absorbed. Jesus quotes God the Father’s words to the Israelites after their wilderness temptation: “He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with [mysterious] manna…that he might make you know that one does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deut 8:3).

God is doing something when we struggle. He deflates our egos. He turns us away from ourselves toward Jesus, the true Bread of Heaven. He teaches us to trust in him for all our needs, body and soul. The Lord is our Shepherd. We shall not be in want. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Look at the birds. They neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns. And yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of much more value than they?

The devil tempts Jesus to abuse his power religiously—to throw himself off the pinnacle of the Temple for all to see the angels swoop down, catch him, and land safely into the ground. The spectacular miracle will instantly win a large following. Aren’t you glad we aren’t also tempted to do whatever we can to get attention, gain approval and popularity? This is when religion becomes a show. We measure our success by numbers, how much we wow others, and how widely known we are. 

Jesus uses Scripture again. Don’t test God. We can fool others. We can even fool ourselves. But we cannot fool God. We don’t have to pretend. We do not need to perform stunts to get his attention. We are already God’s beloved children. We are only worthy because of the surpassing grace and love of the true and living God. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. God wants us to live in peace and quietness. He meets us and rewards us in secret—in our prayer rooms. God does not win followers through signs and wonders but through love and kindness.

The devil tempts Jesus to abuse his power politically—to worship a false god so that he can exercise dominion over all the kingdoms and people of the world. Jesus is tempted to see people as a possession—as property instead of as family. Jesus quotes Scripture again. We are to worship the true and living God alone. God is who he is. He is free to do whatever he wishes. We don’t need to understand his ways. But thanks be to God he does not force his dominion on us nor treat us like property. He wins us by his love. He adopts us. We love because he first loved us.

Aren’t you glad we aren’t also tempted to be manipulative and use others? Isn’t that the problem with the world? Are these not the demons that haunt us and tempt us? Sure there are politicians who lie and deceive their way to the top with empty promises and those who wage war to murder and steal on a global scale. But we too are tempted to think we are always right—that others are there to serve us—that those who disagree with us are “the enemy.” We are also tempted to embrace tribalism—to think that we are entitled and so it’s ok for us to force our way. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called daughters and sons of God. Seek first Christ’s Kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

Jesus was tempted in every way we are yet without sin. There are no shortcuts around his suffering and the Cross. Jesus came to show us the way through the wilderness of this world—through the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus shows us how to journey through our struggles, through our doubts, and through our weakness—to cling to him and his Word—and safely to the other side.

You strove with Satan, and you won; your faithfulness endured; 
lend us your nerve, your skill and trust in God’s eternal word.

Though parched and hungry, yet you prayed and fixed your mind above; 
so teach us to deny ourselves that we may know Gods love.
                               (“O Lord, throughout Those 40 Days” LBW 99 vv. 2 & 3)

“Transfigured” (2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9)

2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

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Pastor Tom Johnson, February 19, 2023

In our second reading, Peter remembers the Transfiguration. It must have been decades later. Like Mary, the Mother of Jesus, he treasures this memory in his heart. He spends decades pondering what it could all mean for him. Now he wants you and me to ponder what it could mean for us. Jesus chooses Peter, James, and John to hike up a mountain. When they reach the summit, they have a mountain top experience. They see Jesus transfigured before them. It like like the curtain of Jesus’ humanity is pulled back. Jesus no longer looks like he was born in a barn in Bethlehem. You would never guess he grew up in the hills of Nazareth. They see Jesus as he truly is. His face shines like the sun. He clothes are dazzling white. He is the King of glory. He is the eternal Christ—the One who has no beginning—the One who will have no end. He is the One who is, who was, and is to come. The seraphim in Isaiah have one set of special wings just to cover their eyes because of his blinding light that shines more brightly than the midday sun.

Suddenly Moses appears—the great prophet of old who ascended Mt. Sinai to meet with God, who came down and had to wear a veil over his head because of the radiance of God’s holiness emanating from his face. Moses whose burial place was hidden on a mountain now lives and meets with God again. Elijah—the great miracle-working prophet who was carried off into heaven by chariots of fire. Like ancient Enoch who walked with God and was not for God took him to be where he is. Elijah lives and now speaks with the Lord who carried him up into heaven ages ago. Peter is mid-sentence when he suggests they make three dwellings. A thunderous voice and an overshadowing cloud interrupt Peter. God says, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” Peter, be slow to speak and quick to listen. Keep listening—and keep listening for decades to come. Peter, James, and John are all flattened in fear. Faces to the ground, they don’t see Jesus coming. He comes to them. He touches them. He tells them to get up and not be afraid. All is back to “normal.” The blinding light, Moses, and Elijah are gone. 

Jesus tells them not to speak of it until he rises from the dead. This begins a time when Jesus’ glory will be hidden. The other nine disciples will not witness the same event—not until the resurrection when he will be raised in blinding glory. Coming down from the mountain top is the hardest work. This is the time we must see Jesus’ glory with the eyes of faith. This is not a cleverly devised myth. Peter, James, and John are eyewitnesses. They saw it all with their own eyes. They heard it with their own ears. They felt the reassuring touch of Jesus. It was stored in their memory banks—not to be revealed until after the resurrection. Now is the time to speak of Jesus Glory.

There is a lesson in there for Peter—one he ponders and treasures for decades. Jesus assures him through the darkness ahead. He prepares Peter for the valley of the shadow of death toward the Cross. He reminds them that it was not merely Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. It was the eternal Son of God, the Lord of Glory, the King of the Universe! Though the light would be hidden in the humanity of Jesus—no one can put out the light. So Peter says “we would do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts.” We too should ponder. We too should treasure this truth in our hearts.

One of my favorite stories comes from C.S. Lewis’ The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe. Four children—two sisters and two brothers—stumble into another world called Narnia. In this world, Aslan is king. He is a lion. The children do not know it but there is a prophecy that four humans will become kings and queens and usher in a time of peace. But the witch gets to one of them first—Edmond. The witch deceives Edmond and he betrays his sisters and brother. When the witch is hunting the others to stop the prophecy, a sly fox saves them from the queen. The fox is crushed in the teeth of the witch’s wolves and tossed on the ground. When the fox rises, he bows and says, “Forgive me, your majesty.” The queen tells him to stop his flattery. The fox says, “Not to seem rude. I was not talking to you” and points his nose toward Edmond. Edmond does not understand. The fox gives Edmond a little light—even though he doesn’t deserve it and isn’t ready. After a time of darkness and tribulation, Edmond will come to terms with his betrayal and receive forgiveness. And then that little light of hope shining in a dark place will give way to a greater reality. He will become a great king.

So Scripture tells us to pay attention to the lamp shining in a dark place. Let the little light you have be enough to warm your heart. Let the flame remind you of the blinding light to come. Let the spark ignite the hope of Christ which will exceed your greatest imagination. The thick clouds that block out the sun will not be up there forever. The dark night of our souls will come to an end. Weeping may tarry for the night but joy will come in the morning. The dawn of God’s eternal day will arise just as surely as Christ has risen. The Morning Star has already risen in our hearts. You are God’s beloved daughters and sons. He will welcome us with the same words: “Well done, good and faithful servants. With you I am well-pleased.” We will be more truly and uniquely ourselves just as Moses and Elijah were never more truly and uniquely themselves. We too will shine. We will shine as brightly as the midday sun. We will radiate the glory of the eternal Son of Glory.

“You’ve heard it said…” (Matthew 5:21-37)

Matthew 5:21-37

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Carl block: The Sermon on the Mount (1877)

Pastor Tom Johnson, February 12, 2023

I’ve seen stop signs blatantly ignored from time to time before moving here. But around here many barely slow down. Growing up in Indiana, I got a ticket for a “rolling stop.” The cop reprimanded me. The octagonal shape of the sign says “stop.” The color red says “stop.” It even says “S-T-O-P” in all capital letters. Jesus did not come to abolish the Law—to get rid of stop signs. He came to fulfill the Law—he came to teach us the true meaning and spirit of considerate driving. 

I hope you don’t miss Jesus’ humor here. He begins by saying, “You’ve heard it said ‘You shall not murder.’” “You’ve heard it said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’” This is understatement: “You’ve heard it said.” These are two of the Ten Commandments—written on stone tablets—by the anthropomorphic finger of God. They were carried down Mt. Sinai by the great prophet Moses and given as a divine charge to the people of God. You’ve heard it said, “do not murder” and “do not commit adultery,” Jesus says, “but I say to you.” Who does Jesus think he is to speak with the same authority as the great prophet Moses and even God himself? Jesus’ words of great authority are not flowing out of arrogance and self-interest but out of love and compassion. He wants us to understand the spirit of the Law. He wants us to get out of the rut of self-righteousness.

You’ve heard it said “do not murder” but I say to you if you say just a hurtful word or have one hateful thought…you are guilty of this capital crime. That is why when we confess our sins we say we have sinned “by thought, word, or deed.” We have not kept this command when anger and hatred remain in our hearts and on our lips. Jesus helps us see that we have failed to love our neighbor. That is why he does not even want our worship until we try to reconcile with one another.

You’ve heard it said “do not commit adultery” but I say to you if you take a second look at a person with lustful intent, have an emotional affair, or do not honor yourself or someone else sexually…you are guilty of heartbreaking betrayal. We have not kept this command when lust and objectifying others remains in our hearts and minds. Jesus helps us see that we have failed to love our neighbor.

Jesus is not just telling the letter of the Law—but the spirit of the Law—the heart of God and what he wants for us—how he manifests his love in and through our lives—to be who we truly are in Christ in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. Just like a stop sign. It says “stop” by its shape, color, and in all caps. But the spirit of the law is to be considerate when you drive, to be mindful of other drivers, and cautious while steering thousands of pounds of steel. Jesus reminds us that we can come to a lawful, complete stop and still drive like maniacs and jerks.

So Jesus wants to overhaul our religion. He wants us to recalibrate our spirituality. Think of it as a spiritual tune-up. Or for you lovers of technology—think of it as an upgrade to your software. It is not merely out with the old and in with the new. It’s far better. Jesus wants us to get us out of the spiritual rut we find ourselves in. He wants us to get unstuck. One of the most common places where we get stuck is in our relationship with the Law. It is hard-wired in our brains that God is deeply disappointed in us—that he does not like us very much because we are flawed. And so we think he loses interest in our pathetic little lives because we are beyond hope. We see his commands as transactional. We think, “If I learn to be more obedient, I will please God. He will take notice let me out of the penalty box for my good behavior.” We see our spiritual lives as win or lose—and just as bad, we see those around us as either winners or losers. Jesus says you cannot win—no one can win. There is no way any of us could obey even two of the ten commandments. Jesus has raised the bar so high, he has guaranteed that we will all fail by our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. Just a few sentences later in the same sermon, Jesus will say, “You must be perfect—as your heavenly Father is perfect.” It is impossible. We cannot win God’s attention and love by our obedience. It is impossible to be perfectly obedient. Only Christ came to fulfill the Law. He alone is perfectly obedient.

Remember that our reading today is just a middle portion of Jesus’ sermon. He has already said in this same sermon that you are the salt of the earth. You are light of the world. God makes you shine.  Jesus does not want to crush our spirits but to crush our transactional religion. He crushes the idea that we can justify ourselves before a holy and righteous God. He moves us from religion that is transactional to transformational. He loves us by telling us how completely we fail to obey his commands. He loves us by telling the hard truth that we could never be perfect. He loves us by telling us the true meaning of the Law—which is to love God and one another with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. And so Jesus says our transactional view of God is a dead-end. We cannot win the love of God. But we do not have to win the love of God. We do not need to win the love of God. We already have the love of God.