A Great Time To Be A Disciple

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written,‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”

Then the devil led him to Jerusalem and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

There is a verse found in the Old Testament Book of Esther that states, ”And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) This Lenten season we find ourselves facing cultural, societal, economic and political realities that have left many questioning the present and wondering about our future. It is true in this life that we will encounter unexpected moments of temptations, tests and challenges.

Yet once again, we have embraced the Lenten season as a time to grow closer to God, our neighbors and as a time of preparation. This is a moment when what we say and do will reveal the depth of our commitment to the God who loves us, the steadfastness of our faith in the Savior who sacrificed his life for us, and the transformational presence of the Spirit that is in us. Jesus was tempted by the devil and offered the chance to turn stones into bread, to abuse his influence and authority, and to shift the focus of his worship for personal power and popularity.

Just as Jesus was prepared for his journey through the desert, we are called to be ready for our desert encounters. We are living in a unique age of history and who knows but that we have come to our royal position as disciples of Jesus Christ for such a time as this? There is a small book of sermons written by the late Rev. Harry Emmerson Fosdick entitled, A Great Time to Be Alive. It is filled with profound thoughts and wisdom, but the closing words of the opening chapter ring out once again as he responded to the conclusions made by many about the troubles of his day.

“This is a great time also for spiritual adequacy, for wisdom and courage to face and create momentous change, for realistic appraisal of our false reliances, and for profound convictions about God and man and the kingdom of righteousness here on earth. We are living in an age of ages telling; to be living is sublime.” It is a great time to be alive and a great time to be a disciple.

prayer

God of those who tremble, courage can feel foolish when we’ve seen the world in all of its terror. But, protect us from life lived in perpetual vigilance. Keep fear from monopolizing our relationships, our desires, our motivations, so that we can act without rehearsing the worst of our imaginations. Help us meet our gear with kindness and mercy. There are times when we feel small and exhausted. Harness our courage. Grant us contentment in our limits, and community in our battles. Send others who tremble alongside us, who will speak truth with calmness. Show us we need not be giants if we have good friends. And lead us beside still waters. The space is thin between bravery and rest. Remind us that fear is as bodily as any emotion. Slow our breath, ground our attention. Lie still with us as courage finds us. May it be so.
(Cole Arthur Riley, Black Liturgies – Prayers, Poems, And Meditations For Staying Human)

Daily Lenten meditations each have a companion morning prayer video offered by the same clergy.  View the YouTube playlist to find this meditation’s companion video, or to watch others.