February 22nd: 1st Sunday of Lent

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 ~ Psalm 32 ~ Romans 5:12-19 ~ Matthew 4:1-11Read online

On the 1st Sunday in Lent, we typically read of Jesus’ temptations. This year, we also read the story of the temptation in the Garden of Eden. Temptation is rooted in wanting something beyond what we have. In Genesis, it’s the temptation to be like God. In the Gospel, it’s food, self-importance, and power. 

To be tempted, one must be to some degree dissatisfied. Though we often think of it as bad, sometimes temptation can motivate us to change for the good. If I’m dissatisfied with how I’m praying, I might be tempted to try something different. But most often we use the word to refer to things that have unhealthy outcomes. Temptation to the unhealthy is still rooted in dissatisfaction. For example, I may be dissatisfied how others view me and therefore tempted to gain power over them to control their views. Hence, in our biblical stories, temptation leads to trouble. Humans, in trying to replace God with themselves, fracture their relationship with God. Jesus’ temptations also are all about damaging that relationship with God. Our temptations often lead us to unhealthy relationships with God, others, the environment, or ourselves.

In the Bible, the key to avoiding temptation is resolving the dissatisfaction in a healthy way. In faith, the root of that is realizing and accepting that we are beloved children of God. This is the foundation from which Jesus resists temptation. Confident in his relationship with God, the Father, he has no reason to consider the temptations. We may not be as confident as Jesus in our relationship, but that doesn’t mean God is any less faithful. God has made us children of God and stands by us, even when we find temptation more appealing, calling us back. 

Lent is a time to consider how we have listened to temptation to unhealthy results rather than God’s love. Then as Easter approaches we’re ready to celebrate once again that we are children of God: forgiven, fed, and freed.

After reading the scriptures for this day, discuss the following questions with someone else:

• How would you define temptation? 

• What is a temptation that you struggle with often? how might you resolve that dissatisfaction in a more healthy way?