Test of the Flesh

The journey of Christ in the wilderness was a time of testing and a time of discipline. Jesus’ first challenge by Satan was a “test of the flesh,” a challenge of self identity and physical comfort. Satan challenged Jesus to prove who he was by demonstrating his ability to satisfy his own physical hunger. Jesus’ response was to remind the evil one that humankind is more than physical need and ability.

How do we follow Jesus’ example in breaking the physical bonds by which we identify so strongly? Two ways are fasting and anonymous giving. One helps us break the strong draw of our physical appetite by intentionally depriving ourselves of physical comfort; the other helps us break the lure of self-prowess by selflessly, and quietly giving away those things that we hold dear.

Both of these disciplines help us recognize what it means—and feels like – to depend on God’s Providence.

Book suggestion: The God of Intimacy and Action: Reconnecting Ancient Spiritual Practices, Evangelism, and Justice' by Tony Campoloa & Mary Albert Darling

Lent: Five Weeks until Easter

In the desert, Jesus faced physical discomfort. Hunger and thirst. Ironic, The Bread of Life Himself without physical sustenance. Scripture tells us that the Devil came to Jesus in the wilderness to test Him,

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Luke 4:3

The enemy used Jesus’ physical condition to test His personal identity. If you are the Son of God – prove it! Prove who you are by showing what you can do for yourself.

An interesting test. The test of “flesh.” Prove who you are by the standard of how well you can take care of your own needs. If we can provide for ourselves, then surely we are independent. If we can buy big houses, fancy cars, designer clothes, then surely we are successful. “Don’t help me, I can do it by myself” is one of the first things toddler’s learn to say. “I can tie my shoes all by myself now” – it proves I’m a big girl!

Jesus’ answer to Satan was,

"It is written: 'People do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

In refusing to satisfy His own physical needs, Jesus is telling us that the true standard of who we are and what we need is not based in the physical realm. It isn’t about what we have or what we can do on our own. It isn’t about meeting all of our needs by ourselves. Who we are is based on whose we are, and therefore real sustenance is not about what we can provide for ourselves, but what God wants to give us.

How do we break this mind-set of trying to prove ourselves by showing how well we can provide for our own needs? One way is by going without… giving up, or better yet, anonymously giving away those very things by which we have been defining ourselves, and by turning our awareness and thankfulness to what God is giving us today.

Lent & the Spiritual Disciplines

Henri Nouwen once wrote, “In the spiritual life, the word ‘discipline’ means ‘the effort to create some space in which God can act’… if we create space in which God can act and speak, something surprising will happen. You and I are called to these disciplines if we want to be disciples.”

I have a passion for reading the writings and biographies of the early church Fathers and Mothers. I am always moved and filled with wonder at their capacity to know, hear, and follow God’s voice in their lives. Yet, I am also often left feeling a bit melancholy. Why, I wonder, if God does not change,* if indeed He is the same today as yesterday, then why do I not have that same degree or intensity of relationship with Him as those great Patriarchs and Matriarchs?

Could it be that they lived lives with much more space for God in them? Fasting, solitude, penitence, giving, serving… were all regular parts of their lives. In my life, they are very limited experiences only. Christ spoke of “when you give, when you fast, when you serve…” never if. The example of Christ at the beginning of the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke shows us the disciplines of solitude and fasting that Christ intentionally practiced – after His baptism yet before the beginning of His public service.

The practices of Spiritual Disciplines should therefore be the result of and response to our recognized dedication and devotion to God, and their purpose is to prepare us for and lead us to the path of service. We should not practice these disciplines for their own sake, but for the purpose of being prepared, tested, and empowered for God’s purposes for His Church, His Children, and His Creation.

The season of Lent offers us the opportunity to intentionally set aside time in our day for God to work in unexpected ways.

*(See Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8)

Book suggestion: The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

Lent, Self Sacrifice, and Finding Joy

Literally meaning “Springtime,” the observation of “Lent” – a liturgical season traditionally marked by the practices of penitence, fasting, sacrifice, giving, and prayer – takes place during the forty days preceding Easter. Unfortunately, in recent times, this important time of Spiritual Discipline has either become “ritualized” into a near empty or superficial time of giving up chocolate, or pizza, or some bad habit… or ignored altogether. What a pity – because this truly can be a time of deep association with the journey of Christ through the wilderness.

Henri Nouwen defines Spiritual Disciplines as “creating a space in your life for God to work.” Intentionally stopping our routine, and seeking an experiential time with the Holy Presence.

The point of fasting, self denial, or “giving something up” isn’t about performing a ritual, or proving one’s stamina, the point is to realize how preoccupied and dependent we have become on the things of this world – at the cost of our spiritual awareness. The awareness that Christ is indeed the ONE thing we truly need. Christ's journey through the wilderness tested what He relied on most, who He trusted implicitly, and how He would fulfill His purposes.

In the desert Christ was faced with the choice between earthly food and heavenly sustenance,

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 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.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

Jesus answered, "It is written; 'People do not live on bread alone.'" Luke 4:1-4

The choice between earthly prestige and Divine priority,

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; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours."

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" Luke 4:5-8

And the choice between being humanly spectacular or being heavenly significant,

The devil led Jesus 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 is said: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Luke 4:9-12

After enduring this time of testing, angels came to attend to His needs (see Matthew 4:11; Mark 1:13). When was the last time angels tended to your needs – could it be that when we depend solely on physical provision we miss the blessing of authentic spiritual sustenance?

This Lenten season, I encourage you to travel the path of Jesus in the wilderness. Dare to be tended by angels.

Book Suggestion: Bread and Wine, Readings for Lent and Easter; Orbis Press.

Super Tuesday (Part 3)

But I say to you…

“You have heard it said… but I say to you …”

In this way, Jesus began to communicate His policies. The way it had been vs. the way it should be. The old kingdom vs. the Kingdom come. Earthly thinking vs. Heavenly truth.

In the book of Matthew [5:21-45] we are told that Jesus gathered His followers and went to a hillside, sat down (no dramatic posturing), and began to explain the way of His government.

You have heard it said, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.

You have heard it said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

You have heard it said, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.' But I say to you, do not swear an oath at all … All you need to say is simply 'Yes,' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the
evil one.

You have heard it said, an ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I say to you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

You have heard it said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

We have heard many things said during this campaign. What do you think Jesus would have to say?

Check out the link to this week's book suggestion: God's Politics, Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It by Jim Wallis.