First Sunday of Lent - Unarmed: Power Without Force

Welcome To The First Sunday of Lent

The season of Lent offers us a time to consider how best to identify with Jesus during the forty days from the Cross to Easter.  This series will teach us what it means to face injustice, evil, and suffering by laying down everything but love.  

Today, we are going to read a passage from Matthew’s Gospel about Jesus’ time of testing or preparation in the wilderness prior to his ministry.  

It's during this time of testing that Jesus is presented with an alternative way of living out his ministry--a way that bends the knee to the kingdoms of this world, instead of the kingdom of God.  

The one big idea that I want us to hold on to throughout this sermon is simply this: 

POWER DOESN’T COME FROM WINNING THE TEST, IT COMES FROM REFUSING TO CHEAT. 

Matthew 4:1-11

• The time and space of this part of the Gospel are important and symbolic. 

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. 

• It’s important to understand the symbolism of “the devil” in the text.  
• The “devil” stands in here as an agent of the Empire or kingdom of this world. 

2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward 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 glory, 9 and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,

    and serve only him.’ ”

• Food Insecurity under the Romans, Political power, Dramatic revelation.
• Jesus counters with Scripture and with a refusal to bow to the Empire.  

11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

• The kingdom of God doesn’t come by force.  Its power is in transformation through love and sacrifice.  

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and The Strength to Love

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”

Dr. King's approach to transformation was controversial to say the least.  He advocated for nonviolent resistance to segregation and racism.  This meant that people would be put in harm's way when they marched, protested, and resisted.   

But he also knew that he was putting himself in danger.  His flight to Memphis, where he would be assassinated, was delayed because they had to check all of the luggage carefully because of threats to his life.  

In a sermon he delivered the day before his death, he ended it this way: 

Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. 

Some Important Questions

• Where in your life are you being challenged to choose kingdoms?
• What can we do to live more heart-forward in a world of force?
• What would it look like if we began to lead with love?

POWER DOESN’T COME FROM WINNING THE TEST, IT COMES FROM REFUSING TO CHEAT.