First Sunday in Lent
Jesus’ Temptation and Ours
“When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13).
One of the more disquieting concepts of this story of Jesus’ time in the wilderness is the last line, which reminds us that conquering temptation once doesn’t mean it will never return. We know what it is to be tempted: to indulge in a fleeting pleasure, to grasp for undeserved acclaim, to avoid an unappealing task, to pursue an unkind chain of thought, to cling to hurt feelings. When we have overcome that one temptation, it is too easy to bask in the feeling of relief and self-congratulation. But temptation will return, at “an opportune time,” perhaps when we least expect it, when we are already tired, when we are least ready and eager to overcome it.
Lent can be a fruitful season of reflection, as we are invited to face our personal and communal temptations; to rely on Scripture and our tradition to strengthen us; to pray alone and in community for forgiveness and renewed courage for service and mission; and to look to the Savior as our example and helper. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are . . .” (Hebrews 4:15).
Lord, who throughout these forty days for us did fast and pray,
teach us with you to mourn our sins, and close by you to stay.
As you with Satan did contend, and did the victory win,
O give us strength in you to fight, in you to conquer sin.
(Claudia F. Hernaman [1873], alt.; Moravian Book of Worship, hymn 341)
Nola Reed Knouse, pastor of congregational care and visitation,
Calvary Moravian Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina