by
Gerald Weiss |
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11 It is significant and appropriate that each year the Lectionary for the beginning of Lent always includes the temptation story from one of the three synoptic gospels. As we study the three temptations of Jesus by the devil, we discover the basic temptation: idolatry. Yet, we may quickly dismiss the possibility that idolatry is a problem for an individual Christian or the Christian church today ? after all, we are strict monotheists. But are we? Recently, in a study group of retired clergy, we completed our reading of ?Why Religion Matters? by Huston Smith. Smith identifies four spiritual personality types: atheist, polytheist, monotheist and mystic. During our discussion it became apparent to me that most of us are selective polytheists. The temptation to worship something other than God is overwhelming. When considering the Ten Commandments it is safe to say that if we perfectly honored the first commandment, we would never need the other nine. Jesus saw the need to include at least two in his summary of the Ten Commandments in Mark 12:29: Love God and love others as oneself. The prophet Micah stated three minimum requirements: to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. As we study Jesus? three temptations, it is important to see how each one can lead to idolatry. Take the first ? hunger. It seems normal that after 40 days and nights of fasting that Jesus should be hungry. It?s a basic human need. Didn?t Jesus himself teach us to pray, ?Give us this day our daily bread?? All our basic human needs are appetites without which we cannot survive: food, drink, sex, entertainment, TV, computers, sports (my weakness). Yet it is relevant to see how any of these can lead to idolatry. Just consider the issue of obesity to see the possibility of idolatry. Take the second temptation ? control and power. We just finished a brutal national election campaign. Of course, we rationalize, somebody has to win and there is no sin in winning, is there? But win at any cost? Both political parties spent millions of dollars while millions of citizens suffer from inadequate health care and housing. And both political parties did not hesitate to use the name of God. But which god are we talking about? Possibility of idolatry here? Take the third temptation ? money, wealth, security, fame. Surely, we say, none of us would allow any of these sources to lead us to the slippery slope toward idolatry. A number of years ago, when I was a district superintendent, a very capable and successful young pastor came to the yearly interview before appointment season and made the very blunt statement, ?Jerry, it is very important that my next appointment be a career advancement.? Possibility of idolatry here? The Lenten season and the Scripture lessons for the season present a wonderful opportunity for me and you to do an idolatry check. Jesus went through his idolatry check. What about me? What about you? The Rev. Gerald W. ?Jerry? Weiss is retired and lives in Catonsville. | 
Login/Register to leave comment