Calvary Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Debra May Cerra
February 10, 2008

Romans 5:12-19 (NRSV)
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned-- 13 sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. 14 Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. 16 And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 17 If, because of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19 For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

Matthew 4:1-11 (NRSV)
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." 4 But he answered, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" 11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Temptation!

What is temptation? And what tempts us? The dictionary defines temptation as “a desire or craving for something, especially something considered wrong.” Temptation can be an attraction, an enticement, or even a lure. It can be an inner struggle or an external appeal. Temptation is everywhere and temptation is powerful.
There is an old Indian legend about temptation: Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood.  One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees, bright with flowers. There he fasted. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticed one tall rugged peak, capped with dazzling snow. I will test myself against that mountain, he thought. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders and set off to climb the peak. When he reached the top he stood on the rim of the world.
He could see forever, and his heart swelled with pride. Then he heard a rustle at his feet, and looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke. "I am about to die," said the snake. "It is too cold for me up here and I am freezing. There is no food and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley."
"No," said the youth. "I am forewarned. I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite, and your bite will kill me."
"Not so," said the snake. "I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you."
The youth resisted awhile, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. As he laid it gently on the grass, the snake suddenly coiled, rattled, and leapt, biting him on the leg.
"But you promised..." cried the youth.
"You knew what I was when you picked me up," said the snake as it slithered away.
There is nary a one who is not tempted by something…power, prestige, and materialism; food, alcohol, and drugs; laziness, overworking, and complacency to name a few. Even when we resist a temptation, another is knocking – waiting for us to give in; waiting to bite us and bring us down.
Even Jesus Christ was tempted the Gospel writers tell us. Just before his temptation, Jesus was baptized. As the Holy Spirit anointed Him, the voice of God declared, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” It was that same Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (1)
            The wilderness where Jesus was tested was a barren land. The Old Testament calls it Jeshimmon, which means “The Devastation.” It stretches over an area of thirty-five miles by fifteen miles.
Sir George Adam Smith, who travelled over it, describes the wilderness as an area of yellow sand, of crumbling limestone, and of scattered shingle. It is an area of contorted strata, where the ridges run in all directions as if they were warped and twisted. The hills are like dust heaps; the limestone blistered and peeling; rocks are bare and jagged. Often the very ground sounds hollow when a foot or a horse's hoof falls upon it. It glows and shimmers with heat like some vast furnace. It runs right out to the Dead Sea, and then there comes a drop of twelve hundred feet, a drop of limestone, flint, and marl, through crags and corries and precipices down to the Dead Sea.
In this desolate, barren wilderness Jesus was completely alone. His calling had come and God had spoken. Now He needed to think things through. Jesus had to be alone.
And in that aloneness, Jesus met Satan’s temptation. The word temptation in relation to Jesus is not to state or imply weakness. On the contrary, Jesus’ temptation is a testimony to strength – the greater the strength, the greater the temptation.
            As we journey through this Lenten season, we will be reminded of the many aspects of the life of Jesus. We will explore the Gospels of John and Matthew as we make our way down the road to the cross, the tomb, and the resurrection of our Lord. Lent is a time to realize and appreciate what Jesus Christ has done for us. But it’s also a time for us to reflect on our life and our relationship with Him. We need to consider how our lives emulate Jesus.
            There’s a “Peanuts” cartoon in which Marcia telephoned Charlie Brown: "Guess what, Chuck...the first day of school, and I got sent to the principal's office. It was your fault, Chuck."
Surprised by this, Charlie Brown replied, "My fault? How could it be MY fault?  Why do you always say everything is MY fault?"
"You're my friend, aren't you, Chuck? You should have been a better influence on me!"
            “Not my fault,” is a phrase often touted when someone is being held accountable for his or her actions. Remember Flip Wilson and Geraldine, the character he played. One of his most popular sayings is, “The devil made me do it…” Many times we blame others for our choices, our actions. We argue, “I didn’t choose to do this; don’t blame me. I was made to do it.”
            In the church office we have a big red Staples button which I think illustrates the power of temptation. I brought this morning for you to see. In the tv commercials, every time an individual is confronted by a difficult situation, she or he only has to reach over and push the over-sized red button marked EASY and “That was easy!” is exclaimed and everything works out for the best.
            It would be great if this concept could materialize in our own lives: working late, picking up the kids, making dinner –  hit the button and you’re set – “that was easy!” Finishing a report, spending time with the family, getting plenty of sleep – hit the button and you’re set – “that was easy!” Facing a restructuring at work, living in an abusive situation, caught up in a life of addiction – hit the button – “that was easy.”
            Unfortunately, there is no big red “easy button” that makes everything right. There is no “easy way out” to the temptations of life; the trials of life; the tests of life. The devil may tempt us but the devil doesn’t make us do anything. We still have our own will and free choice. The decision is ours.
When my son was little, we had a kerosene heater in our living room to augment the hot air heating system. Joey was told over and over to stay away from the heater. It was hot and he would get burned. I thought he understood the warning until one day I heard this terrible scream. Rushing into the living room, I found Joey, tears in his eyes and his finger pointing to the ceiling. Looking closely, there on the tip of his little finger was a blister – the culmination of Joey’s temptation by the kerosene heater. He never touched it again.
            Temptations are necessary – whether we give in to them or not. They don’t weaken us; they make us stronger. They aren’t used to make us bad but to make us better. God doesn’t use them as punishment but as a chance for us to prove ourselves to God. Temptation is a testimony to our strength – the greater the strength, the greater the temptation.
            Each one of us is a child of God. And each of us faces temptation and testing. But, thanks be to God, we have the courage and the strength to pass the test because God always gives us a way out. There is NO temptation that we can’t endure because God is with us. It may be tough – tougher than we think we can handle – but God will see us through.
            Remember, Jesus resisted temptation the only way it can be done; by doing what the word of God says. Jesus simply obeyed God by staying in the will of God. Like Jesus, we can and will resist temptation when we claim the same victory that He did. As long as we stay in the will of God, we’re protected. The 4th chapter of James says, “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper.”
            Friends, we are just beginning the season of Lent – a time when we prepare our hearts and minds to accept the love and grace of our Lord. We need to choose love over power, the cross over control, being led over being a leader. Christ has stretched out His hands for us – to help us; to save us; to redeem us. He is able and willing to show us how to live with temptation and through temptation. For when we do, we will know the reality of God’s love for us – temptation will not win; the victory will be in Jesus Christ!