Excerpt from Matthew 4:1-11

"Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."

Reflection by William C. Green

We usually think of being tempted by something bad. But what about being tempted by something good? That's what Jesus faced, and so do we. The devil wears a halo. Jesus was reminded that God's power works wonders, reminded as well that there's divine support amid daunting challenge. Then he was given a chance to use his influence for what's loving and right. What's wrong with this?

Nothing—unless we forget that trusting God's power can mean looking for what we want, just as Jesus, famished in the wilderness, could have been presumed to want bread. But he knew that what God wanted was attention to something else: divine provision even when it wasn't clear where the bread would come from.

So with divine strength and protection. Why do we want that? To get on with busy schedules that wore us out in the first place? Often we ask of ourselves feats of accomplishment that invite trouble—just as Jesus was told he could safely jump off the temple top if he really wanted to. He said don't put God to this crazy test.

And what of the loving influence we want to have on others, the same influence Jesus could have had over everyone? But how often is love a disguise for our own control?

This Lent may we see that often the temptation we need to resist is not something we already know is wrong but something we think is right.

Prayer

O God, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory. Amen.

About the Author William C. Green, a United Church of Christ minister, is the Director of Long Looking, a consultancy service specializing in fundraising and education for congregations. His new book, 52 Ways to Ignite Your Congregation: Generous Giving, has just been published.

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