Christ Lutheran Church: Welcome

Title

The Best Salvo

Luke 4:1-13, Hebrews 2:17-18

February 21, 2010

Rev. Dave R. Garwick

The sermon this morning is based on how Satan tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, an event that might seem totally out of order with where we are at this time of the year in our walk with Jesus. What I mean is, last week we celebrated Ash Wednesday which begins Jesus’ journey to the Cross at the very end of his earthly ministry. The temptation in the wilderness, however, is something that happened at the very beginning of His ministry some three years earlier. It’s like we’re jumping back in time.

But in a very real sense, it is totally appropriate that we begin the journey to the cross by reflecting on temptation because it is Satan’s temptation that is the whole reason for the cross in the first place. If Satan had not succeeded in tempting our first parents in the Garden of Eden, if Satan did not continually succeed in seducing us into sin, there would be no need for Jesus to pay for our sins by dying on the cross. In fact, in some ancient prayers of the Church, Adam and Eve’s Fall is referred to as “the blessed fault” since without it we would never have had Jesus.

A moment ago I said that in this sermon we would reflect on how Satan tempted Jesus. It was not simply that Satan tempted Him, but the fact that Jesus was tempted to the point of actual suffering that gives us the assurance that Jesus can actually help us. This might come as a surprise to many of us that the Son of God could really be tempted.

We do know that He was truly tempted because He actually suffered. You can research the Internet and see how long a person can survive without food. Most experts say that, if someone has access to water, that person can go without food maybe four to six weeks. Long before that they succumb to excruciating pain and mental agony. In March, I stood just outside Jericho at the base of a twenty story cliff that was pockmarked with caves. THAT is where Jesus was starving to death and I can tell you that there is precious little water at all there. This is desert country. I did find it more than a little ironic that at the base of this cliff of starvation there was a snack wagon selling pop, beer, hamburgers and nachos. When Satan pulled up with his chuckwagon of food temptation, Jesus was already at the end of his sixth week. If you look closely at the account you will see that Satan had been with the whole time. But it was not until the end of Jesus’ fortieth day of starvation that Satan made his move – with the temptation of food.

That is why we read in the Epistle Lesson that, “For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-17

The point I want to emphasize is that last phrase there: “He is able to help those who are being tempted.” Again, “HE is able to help.” There are all kinds of very effective things a person can do about temptation. The most important thing is to simply avoid the opportunities where your particular temptation is likely to occur. Every single one of us has an appetite for one temptation or another. If your struggle is with alcohol, then don’t be around people who are drinking. But the very most important thing in dealing with temptation is to trust that because Jesus himself truly suffered, it is Jesus who can help you when you are tempted. Remember, HE is the One, and the only one, who has defeated Satan. At those moments, simply turn to Jesus in prayer. Read the temptation story – better yet, PRAY the story.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them He was hungry.

Beloved Jesus Christ: my Lord, my King, my Savior, my God. You who are God, but also were man, who was tempted by the devil as any other human being, please give me the strength to reject sin and the grace to remain spotless as you are. Reign in my heart with Your Power, Wisdom, Love , Peace , Grace, Purity, Mercy, Glory and Joy.

The devil said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'"

Jesus, You said to Satan: HUMAN BEINGS LIVE NOT ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD. How many times I have failed you my Lord, when I didn’t obey your commandments, I have rejected You my King when I allowed the enticements of this world to reign in My heart, I have forgotten You my God when my mind has been full of the things of the world. My Lord and my God, give me hunger for Your living bread, feed me with Your Word and with the Sacrament of Your flesh and blood. Give me the strength to control the appetite of my senses, purify and nourish my soul with Your food, which is to do the will of the Heavenly Father.

The devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to Him, "I will give You all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if You worship me, it will all be Yours." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'"

Jesus, You said to Satan: YOU MUST DO HOMAGE TO THE LORD YOUR GOD, HIM ALONE YOU MUST SERVE. How many times the riches of this world, the temptations of pride, greed , envy , jealousy and egoism have dethroned You my God from my heart. Help me sincerely repent of this insult to Your Majesty. Give me the grace to be able to reject the things of this world, that distract me from You, to detach myself from all that is around me, and to cling strongly to Your spirit within me. Help me love you with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, with all my strength and with the spirit You have given me. Help me worship and obey You my Lord, honor You my King, praise You and bless You, and fill my heart with thanksgiving so that I will serve You by loving my brothers and sisters, that with Your strength I will conquer the world, the devil and the flesh.

The devil led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If You are the Son of God," he said, "throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: "'He will command His angels concerning You to guard You carefully; they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Jesus, You said to Satan: DO NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.

Jesus, whenever I have sinned, I have thrown my soul against the rocks of death, wounding it mortally. I have put You to the test. Jesus, You the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. By Your wounds heal my body, my mind and my soul. Jesus, I have offended You many times, please forgive me my sins. Wash away my iniquities, cleanse me from my sin, purify me, protect me and save me with Your precious blood, sanctify me with Your Holy Spirit, re-make me once more in Your true image.

When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left Him until an opportune time.

Gracious God, I so easily fall prey to patterns of behavior that separate me from You and others. I want to do the right thing, the good thing, the loving thing, but temptation stalks the rim of my life like a prowling animal. Before I know it, I’ve fallen into its grasp and begun the downward spiral into what is less than full life. Help me, Lord, to see when temptation is trying to cleverly captivate me. Give me the strength and fortitude to make choices for health and spiritual wholeness. Keep me faithful in my love for You and faithful to the wonder of being given the gift of life. I ask this for the sake of Your love.

See the point? Don’t just THINK about your temptation. Don’t just try to think your way out of temptation by yourself. When you realize that you are in the danger zone or that you are even approaching the danger zone, start firing off prayers to Jesus as the best salvo of defense. Toward that end, I have compiled “166 Prayer to Deal with Temptation”. Keep a copy close by you. Pray those prayers. And trust that, because Jesus himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help you when you are being tempted.

Amen. May it be so!