Lent 1A - Some last-minute thoughts!

Connections between "the Fall" and "the Temptation of Christ" continue to abound. Let's take a look at what we have found:

Adam and Eve

• In a lush garden
• All their needs supplied for them
• Temptation: "To be like God"
• Succumb to Temptation
• Are driven from the Garden by an angel

Jesus

• In a barren wilderness/desert
• Just completed a fast--no basic needs are being met
• Temptation: "If you are the Son of God"
• Overcomes Temptation
• The tempter flees, and the angels minister to Jesus

As I've thought about Jesus' temptation to assert who he was, I was reminded of having grown up having two parents who were teachers. While I'm not sure I ever did this intentionally, I imagine there were times when it would have been easy to accept or assume a position of privilege, ceasing to be a "normal kid" and adopting the role of "teacher's kid." The temptation would be to use that condition for personal gain or to sidestep the rules. Jesus' temptation here was to use His supernatural powers to prove His identity and for personal gain. But, in order to satisfy the condition of the Incarnation, He had to first "empty Himself."

Grace and Peace,

PastorJon

PS- take a minute and visit "whittyvillezoo." Stephen is undergoing a Kidney transplant next week, and the Community of Faith is surrounding the family with love and prayers. I was able to visit Stephen today, and he is in very good spirits, although very bored with his bland hospital room.