Tempted & Forgiven

"How are we tempted today?"
A young salesman answers:
"Temptation is when your boss calls you in, as mine did yesterday, and says, 'I'm going to give you a real opportunity. I'm going to give you a bigger sales territory. We believe that you are going places, young man.'"But I don't want a bigger sales territory," the young salesman told his boss. "I'm already away from home four nights a week. It wouldn't be fair to my wife and daughter." "Look," his boss replied, "we're asking you to do this for your wife and daughter. Don't you want to be a good father? It takes money to support a family these days. Sure, your little girl doesn't take much money now, but think of the future. Think of her future. I'm only asking you to do this for them," the boss said. The young man told the class, "Now, that's temptation."
In this passage from Matthew: As Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, we are each tempted in a myriad of ways.
Understanding temptation as a force that pulls us away from nurturing and healthy behaviors, and resolving to seek discipline of mind, body and spirit is part of the Lenten journey we are embarking upon this week.
I wonder what Jesus would have been tempted by in the 21st century?
Power? Materials? Security?
Probably…yes, yes & yes.
What was he actually tempted by?
Power? Materials? Security?
In a sense, nothing has changed.
We didn’t read it, but temptation goes back as far as the very beginning. In Gen, Eve, then Adam are tempted in the Garden.
In both stories, “The Devil” does the tempting or testing.
But, let’s look at what happened with Jesus & how this might impact our Lent & Spiritual reality.
Then perhaps we can do better then,,,, Oscar Wilde
Who says…. “I can resist everything except temptation.”
Or to quote an anonymous source…
“Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.”
So, how goes the story of Jesus in the wilderness?
According to Matthew, Jesus is in the Wilderness for 40 days. This echoes 40 in lots of other places in the Old Testament.
40 days Moses was on the Mount, 40 years of wandering of the Jews. 40 days & nights of the flood.
They all connote a period of testing, incubation, trials, endurance.
Think that has anything to with 40 weeks of being pregnant?
In the end, something new is born.
Will your Lenten Journey of 40 days birth something new in you this year?
Now back to the test….Jesus is tempted with…..
- Turning stones into bread =
material temptation
Throw self off cliff = security temptation
Have dominion = power temptation
Why these are so tempting, is because they are so intrinsic to life.
We all need to eat. We all get hungry.
We all want to know well be taken care of, that our 401K will give us long-term security
We all like to be liked, to have our way & power over people.
Temptation wouldn’t be temptation if it was so alluring and appeals to our basest instincts.
So, we all know about temptation…but what about the answer? The solution?
It is in times of testing or trial we are called upon to prove our true identity and character,
We need to remember…who we are and whose we are.
When tempted, maybe we need to remind ourselves of our divine heritage & that we too…., can defeat the Evil One.
But in the end, when we fail or falter,
We remember whose we are
Beloved, Redeemed, Forgiven by the Lord of Life who has already gone to the cross for our sake.






Psalm 32 – paraphrased by Jim Taylor1 A great load of guilt hangs around my necklike a millstone strung on fine steel wire.If someone would free me from my burden, I would be so happy.2 That would be almost as good as never having slipped, as good as not having failed in the first place.3 Can you imagine what it's like never being able to stand up straight?I have become a wasted cripple, my body bowed by tensions.4 My bones are brittle as twigs scorched by the summer sun; When I try to sleep, a gigantic pillow suffocates me.5 But you gave me a second chance. I confessed; I didn't try to hide anything. I poured out my soul to you, and you forgave me. You cut the string and freed me.6 Without my millstone of guilt, I feel light as a feather. I can float; I can rise above a torrent of troubles.7 God, I can trust you completely, because you trusted me. Wrapped in your arms, I feel safe as a baby, murmuring to its mother.8 And God replies: "I will teach you my ways.I will share my wisdom with you.I will watch over you, and keep you safe.9 I do not expect you to obey blindly, without understanding. You are intelligent creatures, not sheep. You do not need reins to guide you;you can learn the right road."10 The millstones of sin still burden many,but those who trust God have been set free.11 They shout with relief for they have been saved;Their hearts have been scrubbed clean;they can stand straight again.