Lent 1 A + Inner freedom + 2.22.26

 

M. Campbell-Langdell

All Santos, Oxnard

(Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–7; Ps. 32; Romans 5:12–19; Matthew 4:1–11)

Welcome everyone. We are now in Lent!

One of the things I find interesting about the Lenten season is the sense of boundaries that exists in it. We begin by seeing Jesus cross the boundaries of civilization and enter the wilderness, where he meets his limits. He also sets boundaries with the tempter. We put boundaries or limits on ourselves. For example, we may give up certain treats or obsessions. Or add new prayer times into our schedules, new disciplines. We set new boundaries in our lives and look for ways we may fast. Fast from that which separates us from God. This may include fasting from food, but it could be social media, caffeine, TV, the radio, or anything that distracts us and leaves us less centered.

And these are all designed to remind us of our dependence on God. If we miss something, we notice that and we seek God instead. In today's reading from Genesis, on the face of it, one wonders: What does this reading have to do with the gospel reading of Jesus's temptations in the wilderness? But one of the interpretations that I heard this week was very interesting.

They (in the Working Preacher Sermon Brainwave podcast) said that there were boundaries placed on humans in the Garden of Eden: not to touch the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Well, very interestingly, here, these boundaries limited both good and evil. So, we ask ourselves, what is knowledge of Good and Evil? What does it mean that God warns against it for these humans in an innocent state? And why does that knowledge lead to what has been traditionally considered to be the Fall?

One possible response is that this knowledge gives humans greater agency in both good and evil, so those who were previously more fully reliant on God and couldn't disobey now have a choice. They have self-awareness. They know when they're naked. This seems to speak about more than just their bodies.

They have a sense of conscience and self-consciousness. And many of those things are very good, but there's also a sense that they have also now learned how to do evil, and God will not set limits on that, but will allow us to do so because of free will. We now choose to do good or to do ill.

When we reflect upon this in Lent, we learn more about ourselves.

In similar ways, the challenges that Jesus faces in this gospel remind us of boundaries. The one who is the tempter reminds us of our human side, the desire to choose that which is not necessarily good for us. The archetype of the devil here asks Jesus about these temptations. In so doing, he is really raising issues that are mixed bags.

For example, power can be used for good or for ill. Later, Jesus will do many of these things in his ministry. For instance, he will multiply bread miraculously. It could be the miracle of the incredible generosity, or it could be an actual Divine multiplication of loaves? There are other ways in which he lives into much of what we actually see as temptations from the devil in this passage. He will give up his life, but for others. Whatever he does is for what is best for others. Not to wrestle power for himself.

Now, it is pretty common for someone to be asked if they need something and to say, "Nah, I’m good!"

When I see this interaction between Jesus and the devil, I think of Jesus saying, "Nah, I'm good!” Because basically, He is good. God has got him. Not only is he good because he is the Son of God, but God has already provided all that he needs, including power, sufficient resources, and spiritual support that transcends heaven and earth. The devil may feel that he has something to offer Jesus, but Jesus is GOOD.

So, the question for you this week is: How do you react when you get tempted into doing something that you know is not necessarily going to be good for you? It could be as small as extra time on social media that drains your energy, or as big as being unfaithful to a spouse, a friend, or a family member. Often temptations seem like such small things at the beginning. Often, you have to say Nah, I’m Good on the small things before they become big.

So, how do you turn around and say Nah, I'm good? Sometimes the disciplines we engage in during Lent can be excellent practices for saying, nah, I'm good to something small so that we can practice that for bigger things. Now, this is not Cockiness or over-self-assurance.

And this is not about you being more righteous than anybody else. But this is a way of saying, "I'm going to rely on God." Other things in the world will tempt me to rely on myself or my own power. But I'm going to lean on God, just like Jesus does here.

I'm not going to hoard food or other resources I need. Because I'm going to trust God, this doesn't mean you don’t take care of yourself. You do still need to do certain things to be prepared.

But we also rely on God. We can. Use this time of Lent as a reminder that we are human. That we have human limitations. And that we do not need to be at the mercy of all the powers of this world.

We can turn to them and say, "Wow, that sounds good." But nah, I’m good. In Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov, there's a famous section with the Grand Inquisitor. In it, Jesus returns to Earth and is arrested. And the Grand Inquisitor tells Jesus. You know what you got wrong? You decided to reject the temptations of the devil.

He says, What we in the church have learned is that actually, money and power, these things are essential, and the people do want someone to have control over them and tell them what to do. Sadly. Our world reflects the values of the Grand Inquisitor more often than not. But Jesus is here to remind us that we can turn to that Grand Inquisitor-type dude, and say, Nah, I'm good. God has got me. God has provided everything we have right now and will have in the future. Not everything we want, maybe. But we are protected. We are cared for. And so, if we undertake a Lenten discipline or find another way to live out our Lent, this is our opportunity. To get in touch with what is good and what's good for us.

So, is there a way to reconnect with our values, quite apart from the temptations of this world? How can you set boundaries this Lent and draw near to God, so that you can find greater freedom?

I pray for you for a time not just of limitations, but of true internal freedom this Lent.