Psalm 31:9-16; Zechariah 9:9-12: Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 15:1-47.

… “Those who see me in the street flee from me.”[Psalm 31`:11b].

We are invited into a special place of the Lord’s ordaining. The place I am talking of is a place of trust in the LORD that brings to us good courage! So, upon the start of this worship we are uplifted to know that by the means of grace given to us we become a people who courageously trust in the LORD God.

“There were also women looking on from a distance…” (Mark 15:40b)

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Good morning: Some years ago, Bette Midler sang a song written by Julie Gold that was very popular. The song title is “From a Distance.”  The words of the song are very moving, indeed:

From a distance the world looks blue and green, And the snow capped mountains white

From a distance the ocean meets the stream, And the eagle takes to flight

From a distance, there is harmony, And it echoes through the land

It’s the voice of hope, it’s the voice of peace, It’s the voice of every man

From a distance we all have enough, And no one is in need

And there are no guns, no bombs, and no disease, No hungry mouths to feed

From a distance we are instruments, Marching in a common band,

Playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace

They’re the songs of every man

God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us from a distance

From a distance you look like my friend, Even though we are at war

From a distance I just cannot comprehend, What all this fighting is for

From a distance there is harmony, And it echoes through the land

And it’s the hope of hopes, it’s the love of loves, It’s the heart of every man

(Every man)

It’s the hope of hopes, it’s the love of loves, This is the song of every man

And God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us from a distance

Oh, God is watching us, God is watching, God is watching us from a distance.

From a distance they all watched as God was watch over them!  The Divine exchange had begun! By the Law of God, Moses and Rome, all was going according to plan as seen from a distance. The chief priests, consulted with the Elders and scribes and the whole Council as they distanced themselves from the teaching and person of Jesus. Moses Law would be upheld, “Blasphemy” they cried out, and delivered Him to the justice of civil Roman law: the procurator- Pontius Pilate. From a distance, Pilate had been given authority over life and death in the region by Caesar royal decree. He seemed capable to rule justly by the law of Rome. But, that was just from a distance: for in truth he feared the consequences of authority and responsibility to the truth. In fact, he himself asked Jesus, “What is truth?” Truth had long ago left the Roman halls of judgment. Do you remember last week, when Jesus said to His disciples: “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. “Yet it shall not be so among you!” (Mark 10:42b-43a). Procurator Pilate was considered one of the great ones wielding authority over society.   “Now at the feast, he (Pilate) used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked.” “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” From a distance, one insurrectionist looks the same as another, I suppose it doesn’t really matter- do you care which lives or dies? Pilate asks the question from a distance- does it really matter?   The voice of justice was muzzled; silence was Jesus response as the distant shouts of the crowd- “Crucify Him.” filled the court yard of the Antonio Fortress.  Ecce Homo- Here is the Man: so the soldiers, who had seen Him from a distance riding a donkey through the midst of a crowd with His followers, would have their way with Him after all. The joyous shouts of divine decree- Hosanna, Hosanna, are finally quieted with the words of deceit and envy: “Hail, King of the Jews!”  Hail, a word of greeting signifying royalty from a distance, but for Jesus, an intimate experience of being scourged, spit upon, stripped and mocked. Meekness was being murdered; truth was tarnished under the lying spittle of envious tongues wagging with each crack of the whip. They looked upon Him as a convicted criminal under the sentence of a capital crime. What does a hardened criminal- a trial weary terrorist look like anyway: up close and personal?  

 From a distance, Simon of Cyrene was called upon to enter into the passion and crucifixion of Jesus. What a pity: the policing party sat down to throw dice and wager that their service would bring them some luck and fortune! Unfortunately,Golgotha does not look like much of a place: barren and rocky- unfit to raise a crop or graze sheep. In closer proximity, the utility of the surrounding area is apparent: it is a place that finds its worth in the service of carrying out executions. The stench of loss and decay come close to town for spectators to gawk at. It’s a reality show with gruesome elements that draws each passerby into the drama of death yet far enough away for proper society to rest comfortably within the atmosphere of brutality and betrayal.

From a distance, three criminals were executed by the state: two robbers, one imposter! “Let the Christ, the king of Israel, come down from the cross that we may see and believe.” Darkness covered the voice of Jesus, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” The bystanders mutter to themselves, as the temple curtain is torn in two: from top to bottom! From a distance, a centurion testifies from all that he has witnessed: “Truly this man was the Son of God.”(Mark15:39). The women whisper and look on into an evening in which Jesus body is laid in a distant grave: His lifeless body wrapped in a death shroud. Bette Midler, where is the hope of every man?

Saints, from a distance they all looked upon Him, and He looked upon them. That is the Divine exchange.  He saw: unbelievers and believers; family and foe, friends and relatives, strangers and bystanders; Caiaphas and Pilate, Barabbas and Simon of Cyrene, Gestus (swore) and Dismus (prayed), Longinus- who put his lance into Christ’s side. “There were also women looking on from a distance…”Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and Joses, and Salome. Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and others are among those that were looking on from a distance that He saw from the cross. And from the foot of the cross, they all saw the public horror of crucifixion; the sweat and blood, the smell of vinegar mixed with gall, decency being humiliated, righteous being reviled, and pity finding its party among strangers who cared only to serve the rule of men: random chance dictating the present reality and future distress.

But, there was not only the random and distressed that was being lived out in reality. No, a mystery was being revealed that was not seen by any that watched from a distance upon the place of the skull? No one saw, except the One who was watching from heaven- God the Father. From a distance, He was the completion of the Divine task that He had promised at the very beginning of time. And what was the Divine task seeking completion? That the Law of God given to bind and destroy the power of evil would find the sacrifice of Jesus sufficient in order to grant us forgiveness and grace. The sacrifice of Jesus would bring redemption and new life eternally to humanity. The distance between God and humanity would be forever united as death has served to deliver over the DivineKingdomto the King of Kings. That’s right- death serving as the catalyst for eternal life: the Divine exchange being completed for all time. For all of us in time, our desire and will has come once again under the authority of God the Father. The Son of Man took upon Himself the Divine countenance of the Son of God, as from a distance, God was watching. God was watching from a distance, His Son, raised up for our salvation in the faith that we too would follow Him in faith into a distant place of eternal blessing in Heaven. Jesus saw from a distance of disbelief all who were lost: He continues to seek all of us who are distant from Him in faith and by His grace- He continues to be present to us, so that we might know the blessing of His watchfulness over us now and forever. It is a pattern of blessing that started on Mt Calvary as “There were also women looking on from a distance…”Their witness is the answer to every man’s hope to experience Divine love that is eternal in Christ Jesus. God is watching us from the distance of the cross forward, through time into eternity, so that be might live in forgiveness, harmony and peace forever. Amen.

Fulfillment: John 1:1;

Matthew 8:16-17; Matthew 26:62-63; Matthew 27:12-14; Matthew 38; Matthew 57-60.

Mark 15:27-28. Luke 23:33; Romans 4:25; 1^st Corinthians 15:3.

John 15:13. “No one has greater love than a person who lays down his life for his friend.” Dr. Mitch Glaser writes: Isaiah’s writings in chapter 53 take the question of noble self-sacrifice to a new level. The Servant of the LORD in this chapter (53) is described as one who would willingly suffer for the sins of others. His suffering would be far more than an example of self-sacrificing altruism; rather His death would, in fact, be linked to God forgiving sin. In other words, the death of the suffering servant would be viewed as redemptive.” (“Isaiah 53 Explained, This chapter will change your life.” Chosen People Ministries.)

Brought out of our bondage to sin, the sin barrier has been taken away by the suffering servant Jesus Christ. The offense of sin, iniquity, and the lie- has now found forgiveness, righteousness and truth through Him alone. Now, we live in a relationship of atonement and blessing with God.  Our relationship with the LORD God has been re-established with peace, mercy and love. Our lives blest by Christ Jesus is described in Isaiah 61:1-3. Amen.

“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You- With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”(Psalm 45:7). The person and office of the Son of God/Son of Man is raised up for all too see. Jesus is esteemed as the One sent as foretold by the prophets. Today, the new covenant is spoken of as a love song between Christ Jesus and His church. Into His hand alone has all been appointed by the Father and the Holy Spirit.

“Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking.”(Mark 10:38a).

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Good morning. Last week we talked about those OMG moments when Nicodemus found out three promises of the new covenant in Christ Jesus. The three promises brought to us through Jesus teaching Nicodemus, is that belief in Him alone will bring: eternal life, salvation from perishing and no condemnation. I know: OMG! Did any of you go and spread that good news bringing others here today to receive the means of grace, being His light in others darkness; or new beginnings for those in need of the Christ character rather than lawful condemnation? Did you take the time to believe in the truth about yourselves even when it is beautiful? And if you did believe in the beauty of God’s presence-His countenance resting upon you- covering you, how did you experience that blessing this week?

That is our faith question: How did you experience the Divine this week working in relationship with you and all around you?

Today, we have another OMG Gospel experience. Mark 10:31-34 records the moment:

   “But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last first.

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, Saying, “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.” This is the third prediction of the truth of the suffering servant as prophesied of by Isaiah.

Amazed and afraid seems to be part of the OMG moments of being a disciple of Jesus earthly ministry facing the truth of Divine design. Three of them- Peter, James and John had been amazed and afraid at the top of the Mt.of Transfigurationwhile the other nine were afraid and amazed at the base of the mountain as the epileptic boy was seized by the dumb and deaf spirit. God transfigured at the top, the demon working to disfigure underneath at the mountains base. Jesus has come to make the Divine exchange: position- first/last-last/first: top down/bottoms up: disfigured are transfigured; cursed and confessed-cured, the confident faithless condemned!

 Now, we learn in the following 10 verses, that Jesus prediction of His active role in His own suffering, death and resurrection has brought with it a sense of indignation among the 12 disciples. OMG (Oh my Gosh) has become TMI.-(Too much indignation). “And they said to Him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in Your glory.”(Mark 10:37) And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.”(Mark 10: 41). Jesus again is teaching us about the divine exchange that He has come into the world to make effective- real for our lives. The pagan/secular worldview is set upon a posture of privilege, membership and loftiness. Let’s study the text to see what the Divine exchange looks like in terms of the three positions of pagan posture are transformed to become within the Christian worldview held by disciples of Jesus Christ.

First: The plea for privilege mentioned above, is heard within the request of James and John as they with Simon have experienced some very intimate spiritual experiences with Jesus. They have had a great number of fish fill their nets: been invited into the room as Jairus’s daughter is restored to life; and witnessed the transfiguration moment of Moses, Elijah and Jesus. More of these intimate moments of revelation would happen between Jesus and the inner three.

Second: membership. And, experiencing Jesus spiritually, having been informed of hidden mysteries of which the others were unaware, there seemed to be an exclusive “boys” club type of membership- the signatories with authority- which excluded the other 9 disciples. In fact, the exclusivity of the group may be known as the Lord changed the name of Simon to Peter, and James and John renamed ‘Sons of Boanerges’. (Sons of thunder). Names of recognition and authority with a mission of Divine sending.

Third: loftiness.  Clinging to the Lord closely, two of the three amigos, James and John were ready to assume the position of loftiness- at the right and left hand of power- divine power! “Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to Him, “We are able!” Translated- into Minnesotan dialect-“You bet! Nada problem!” Jesus response- No problem God willing!

Saints, Jesus initiates the divine exchange of world viewpoint for Christian viewpoint concerning: privilege, membership and loftiness. For the disciples of Jesus Christ, you and me, the position of privilege is to drink the cup not of glory but of the cross- of humility and suffering. Membership is known through lives committed, convicted, and crucified with Christ not for our gain but as members of His body. And as members united in His body- His church-we reach the homeland of Divine promise: life in Christ, dying in Christ, suffering with Christ and abiding eternally with Him. In loftiness, we do not seek the merit of glory by sitting at the right or the left hand. In His stead, the crowns and rewards and privileges of seats of honor are redefined to include on earth; struggles, contests, toils, sweat, and battles royal, martyrdom and death from violence in the pursuit of one Divine insight: The Divine truth. The secular humanist pagan worldview is overturned as a great purification has been received by the world through the Son of Man. And what is that great purification? The true posture of privilege, membership and loftiness has become profitable for us because Christ bore our infirmities, submitted to the affliction of His body for our sin, and became subject to the curse of death, submitting to the will of God to become the sacrifice begotten for the purpose of our redemption, justification and salvation. “Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking.” You bet-cha- Privileged to be among His redeemed; membership in His body through His justification; and the loftiness of serving within the grace of His salvation.

Our faith question: How did you experience the Divine this week working in relationship with you and all around you?  Today, we have another OMG Gospel experience to live within. Thanks be to Jesus- our Lord and savior. Amen. 

“Yet it was the will of the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.”(Isaiah 53:10)

Words, how can they convey such a moment filled with bruising and grief? And the whole moment is given over to the authority of the will of God! It just doesn’t seem to make sense to us mere mortals. Yet to the Lord God it all makes sense. It makes sense because the whole matter has to do with suffering finding salvation.

Will you consider with me a moment of illustration when suffering found salvation in your life? Please consider when your teeth hurt so much that you could not stand the pain. What did you do? You probably went to the dentist.  And as the pain became more unbearable, you may have been referred to the oral surgeon who may have diagnosed and prescribed the protocol needed to insure good health for your body. The decay of the tooth had lead to the gums and the root of the tooth was dying! The prescribed treatment: scrapping of gums, root canal- or implant- perhaps both according to timing and insurance coverage. In any case, the tooth would suffer a little more in order for the treatment to bring to fruition- health mouth, teeth, gums and jaw! Salvation from pain after the suffering and pain of infection, surgery and healing.

The LORD GOD was sick to death for the sin that had entered into the core of His creation. Do you not think that God suffered as Satan tempted Adam and Eve in paradise or when Cain killed Abel in the field of harvest? Genesis 6- is it not recorded that God grieved over His creation? “And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” (Gen 6:6) Do you not think that the LORD GOD suffered as the people built a tower atBabel in order to storm the heavens- no need of a savior? Did God suffer as He saw the nationIsrael worship the golden bull below Mt.Horeb- Mt Sinai?

Gods’ suffering out His relationship with His creation is being borne out in the identity of Jesus Christ. It is in Jesus – the suffering servant- that there is the undoing of death. As He bears our sin, we are granted through Him alone, the access into an experience of redemption and entry into the heavenly realm. God’s suffering soul- in the body of Jesus Christ- takes into His grasp- the healing measure of faithful confession, repentance, forgiveness and grace in order to bring justification to the world. His bloody robe is the gaze that holds the sweat and blood of endurance. Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame. He poured out His soul into death, in order to resurrect life and everything good that comes from God into His creation.

Saints, David, the psalmist foretells of the suffering servant: “You will not leave My soul in hell, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” Isaiah reiterates the insight of David, “The Lord wishes to cleanse Him from His wounds, to show Him light, to justify the righteous One who served many well.” The grief of God is turned to the goodness of grace as the suffering servant takes sovereignty over all that the Father would give as His possession: that is the inheritance of all creation. And as we are His possession, we are released from error, from the tyranny of the devil, as Jesus has received the plunder of a great battle. A Divine battle fought between Satan and The Suffering servant – Jesus Christ- who surrendered Himself to death in order to vindicate our Lord God who created all for goodness and grace so that we would know His heart.

“Let the Redeemed of the world say So, whom he has redeemed from trouble.”

(Ps 107:2).

“SO!”  Let our witness be this day that our redeemer lives!

… “that whoever believes in Him may have…” (John 3:15a)

…. “that whoever believes in Him should not… (John 3:16)

“Whoever believes in Him is not… (John 3:18a)

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Good morning. Today’s faith question: “Have any of you ever had an OMG moment? You know what I mean, right? An OMG moment is like when you go into Subway and find out that your favorite sub is “the Sandwich of the Month.” And not only is it the sandwich of the month, but it is on sale: a large for the price of a small!!! Oh, My Gosh- OUTSTANDING! Or, perhaps you’re a contestant in a beauty contest, and you have done all the work out stuff: ride the bike, stair climbers, spinning classes, diet, exercise, lose weight, firm up, tone down, do the whole make over thing- wardrobe, hair style, and rehearse all the skill and talent stuff that the judges will base their final score upon as they evaluate your beauty both outside and in. You’ve done all that you think you need to do to win: you think to yourself- “I am as fine as anyone else here! “Why not me- to be- Ms Beauty?” Then you hear the winning name and its not you! OMG moment! The winning contestant for beauty said: “I agree with George Clooney- theSudan is in crisis and I admire Brad and Angelina for their care of children from around the world! As she is handed the scepter, flowers, crown and title of Ms. Beautiful… don’t you just want to say, “OMG!” WHAT!? Who knew it was her opinion that counted? Nobody asked you your opinion! Obviously, you didn’t do enough to be beautiful: you followed the wrong advice you were offered!

Finally, you go to buy a new car, (your first mistake) and you see the deal on the TV. Now, you go down to route 1 in Norwoodand try to get that same deal! By the time you’re ready to sign on the bottom line, you ask yourself the question:
 “OMG- what happened to the original deal?  I must be crazy!” The beautiful deal is a fleeting mirage! [Is a Mirage a car?] Anyway, the deal you thought you were making is not the deal that you actually get!

Three OMG moments: one a treasure, the second- a travesty and the third- is trickery.

In today’s Gospel message, there are three OMG moments:

#1. … “that whoever believes in Him may have… eternal life” (John 3:15a)

#2. …. “that whoever believes in Him should not…perish, but have eternal life (John3:16)

#3. “Whoever believes in Him is not…condemned… (John 3:18a). Three treasure moments- not one a travesty or trickery.

O My Gosh, isn’t that the GREATEST news? God loves the world so much, that it only takes belief in that love of God so as to have eternal life. And not only eternal life, but also that belief in God saves us from perishing. And not only are we saved from perishing, but we are also saved from condemnation! OMG- that news is so enlightening is it not? Is it enlightening enough for you to run home, and grab your family relatives, your neighbors, and your friends to join you in service here at St. James Lutheran Church to receive the means of grace next week which promises us eternal life? Does this news encourage within you the passion to walk into other people’s darkness, their sickness, their despair and guide them here to receive the light of Divine truth- that life can be filled with true beauty? Does the cure from condemnation seem so necessary for the lives of those around you that out of love you will carry them here to this Christian Church- which is a hospital for sinners and a place for new beginnings- to receive their first inoculation of faith, hope and love given through the Love of Christ Jesus? OMG moment here friends- is Pastor Tom talking to me?

No, the Holy Spirit is convicting you thru the Word preached; the law stated in words of death due to trespasses of sin, and the gospel of God’s mercy and great love with which He loves us.

Saints, the light has come into the world- and evil deeds have been revealed as darkness. Jesus has exposed us as diseased sinners in need of truth serum. OMG- here it is-was-has always been- all of my life: all that I needed, need or will ever need- the truth serum is the love of God given for us in the real experience of Christ Jesus. OMG- here it is: Jesus Christ- in Word and sacrament!

 Now, think with me for a moment, about all of the time and energy that you have spent for the sole purpose of knowing and experiencing a measure of acceptance, understanding, forgiveness and love. Didn’t last long if you even got close to it, right?  And not only experiencing love, forgiveness, understanding and acceptance but also being lovely- truly worthy of loving by God and one another. Is that kind of image a mirage to you? Think of the way in which you have tried to promote yourself in order to advance yourself in the eyes of others and yourself by trying to make up for the lost moments, the ugly times you would rather choose not to remember, to position yourself to “win” recognition and understanding and acceptance, forgiveness and love from others. It has taken a lifetime of energy from you hasn’t it? To succeed in such a life quest seems impossible:  truly a trick or a matter of random luck if you can pull it off! Think of all the ways you have tried to right the scale of your truth and your just needs concerning your life.

OMG- would you please stop and consider today’s Gospel message. For if you will stop- and listen to the promise of God- then you will know the truth. And what is that Divine truth: That God wants us to believe in the truth about ourselves even when it is beautiful! Simply beauties- each one of you- that’s right! Who says so…? God. God is a relentless lover who wills to see the beauty in you become radiant in His light. In Him we are given the gift of love which brings to our lives forgiveness, understanding, acceptance, justice, truth and recognition. How do I know? I know by looking at the cross and seeing how much He loves me. Eyes lifted up to the crucified Lord can only reflect the magnitude of love that has saved creation from destruction. And, by the love He has shown on the cross, He has placed that love in your hearts for Jesus, for your family, for your friends, neighbors and most importantly- for yourself. In Christ we receive the outstanding deal- His love for our sin; His beauty for our blasphemy, and the promise of salvation that will surely carry us into eternity with the Lord in heaven. OMG- who knew I already am a beauty in God’s eye? God did, does and always will see you and me as His forgiven beauties. So look up to the crucified Lord for He looks down upon us with eyes of eternal blessing for we are the beauties of His redeeming love and sacrifice.

Let us pray: O Lord, help me to believe in the truth about myself even when it is beautiful… in your sight. Amen.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Amen

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up!”(John 2:19b)

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Good Morning. We have been discussing the conversion that the Holy Spirit is leading within the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. And as a result of the power of the trinity at work in the world, great things are promised by Jesus. “You will see greater things than these.” (John 1:50b). It is not an election year inPalestine; promises being made with little hope for completion or traction for fulfillment within reality. It is a year that God the father has elected to complete a great promise that He made back at the time of the fall. (Gen3:15).  And to this date in time, there have been all manner of pre-completion – spring time- specials events in reality that have occurred in anticipation of the hope that precedes the arrival of God’s great moment of revelation. On this day we take note that the temple has received a spring cleaning at the hand and whip of Jesus (John2:13-22).  The teacher Nicodemus will after this day receive a teaching about the rebirth of the Spirit in humanity (John 3:1-21). The Samaritan woman will know the real identity of Jesus as the Messiah (John 4:4-42) and a paralytic man is healed of a 38 year illness by Jesus word at work in his lifetime. Each of them will make a testimony about who Jesus is- Son of God. Jesus makes His testimony- I am the Son of Man. As Jesus is both Son of God and Son of Man, the possibilities seem to be endless as body; soul and spirit come under the authority of Jesus presence.

Today’s faith question: What is your testimony about the authority of Jesus presence in your life?  What truth is He bringing to you about your relationship with God? The testament of His life is the new deal – new testimony to be written in reality for a new life in faith – to take a hold of our life. Has the new faith taken hold of your life this week? (Pastor Tom takes some personal testimonies here). What we are presented for consideration is that in Jesus presence- our reality is transformed by His authority as Son of Man: mere water is changed into wine; the restored temple that Jesus has come to save is about our bodies being resurrected through death for the purpose of eternal life:  by His death the Divine promise has been kept. An old testament brings to us the new testator –the Son of Man- who by God’s promise would surely die for our sin. You see, Jesus is necessary for the plan of salvation. God by His own essence cannot die. But, the Son of man may die and fulfill the requirements of the law. Let me explain: in the Old Testament, by the law, we would be the testers who would sign on to uphold the promise. If we were to break the promise, then our life would be forfeit. Christ Jesus is the signatory, who by His death put to an end to all the consequences that justice demands for those who sin against God and the Old Testament- the old promissory note.  The Christ –the anointed One- begotten of the Father, would become the promise fulfilled, the agreement upheld, and the testator tried and true between God and Man: truly Son of God and Son of Man.

  As a result of that Divine truth being revealed, we remember our roots as being from above- a people with a spirit that joins our soulful desire so that our bodies may know peace and rest- not just the trial of temptation and testing. Jesus ushers in a time of Divine truth: when water from the well becomes living water and natural healing within the pool becomes miraculous healing. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, there is a complete- unencumbered action taken that reforms the Jewish community of faith. Unencumbered only because God the Father wills it, Jesus surrenders and submits to the Father’s will and the Holy Spirit converts the Spiritual to become the soulful desire of all believers in the faith we share in Christ Jesus. The testimony of His testament reforms the faith and faithlessness of those who are in His presence. Or, does it do more than just cleanse or reform? My own guess from the text is that it is more than reform. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up!’(John 2:19b). Jesus is starting something entirely new from the old. The established ways of men have given way to the will of God who creates anew each day according to His will and way. The past testimonies of belief have been raised up to face the truth of God.

Saints, God’s initiative in Christ continues to draw Him swiftly, immediately and sometimes even harshly into action. Truth, testimony, and testament are not about tolerance when it comes to the promises of God. His promises are characteristically eternal and always in our face. And as the eternal promises are testified to by The Son of Man, Jesus Christ, they continue to be actively enforced this very day. We are to be a people consumed, not by regret, rebellion, or revolution. In Christ, we are transformed to become a people of zeal, with a sense of gain and belonging. Our testimony of faith surely ought to be about the Holy Spirit giving us a sense of new meaning each day in the revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus continues each day to fulfill the promise of Our Father to restore us to be in an honorable relationship with God. We become a part of a Divine Honor-guard, who attests to the authority of God over our lives. Our testimony is due to God as an offering of thanks because He is the testator- who has promised, the signatory- who by His blood brought the promise into reality, and by the Holy Spirit, continues to strength us to accept His truth over the lie of the world. God’s commitment to be savior of the world challenges us to face the new revelations of God’s will that may raise up within each of us- that which needs to be destroyed for a new understanding of His covenant to be lived out in our daily life. “For Jesus came to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Look to the testimonies of truth in the testament of God: The water at Cana gave new meaning to the old ideas of purification being of water- to become wine transformed by His blood: the commerce of the temple to be solely about atonement, cleansing and the forgiveness of sin through His passion and resurrection: God’s glory shown not in a temple of stone, but the crucified, risen body of Jesus: broken for our iniquity and raised for our redemption.  For in Him, is the anointing of the promises of God to find reformation, renewal, and regeneration throughout the world for all time. Jesus Christ: Son of God/Son of Man- a testimony of truth about the tester (promise keeper) of God.

Testimonies of Untruth in our time:

It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7):  

‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked:  

For whatsoever a man sow, that shall he also reap…  

Here are some men and women who mocked God:

John Lennon: (Singer):  

Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, 

he said:’ Christianity  will end, it will disappear. I do not have to argue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him’ (1966).  

Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times.  

Tancredo Neves. (President ofBrazil):  

During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500,000 votes 

from his party, not even God would remove him from the 

Presidency. Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died…

Cazuza 

(Brazilian composer, singer and poet):  

During a show in Canecio (Rio de Janeiro),  

While smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air 

and said:’ God, that’s for you.’ He died at the age of 32 of LUNG CANCER in a horrible manner….  

The man who built the Titanic, Thomas Andrews. After the construction of Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the 

Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he said:’ Not even God can sink it’. The result:   I think you all know what 

happened to the Titanic  

Marilyn Monroe (Actress)

She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a 

show. He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her.  

After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said:  

‘I don’t need your Jesus’. A week later, she was found dead in her apartment

Bon Scott-(Singer)  

The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he 

sang:’ Don’t stop me; I’m going down all the way, down the highway to hell’. On the 19^th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his own vomit.  

Campinas(IN 2005)

InCampinas,Brazila group of friends, drunk, went to pick up a 

friend….. The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter 

holding her hand, who was already seated in the car:  

‘My Daughter, Go With God And May He Protect You.’  

She responded: ‘Only If He (God) Travels in the Trunk, Cause 

Inside Here…..It’s Already Full’  

Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died, and the car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact.  

The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none was broken.  

Christine Hewitt-(Jamaican Journalist and entertainer) said the 

Bible (Word of God) was the worst book ever written…  

In June 2006, she was found burnt beyond recognition in her motor 

vehicle.  

Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name that was given so much authority as the name of Jesus.

Many have died, but only Jesus died and rose again, and he is still 

alive.  

Jesus said ‘If you are embarrassed about me,  

I will also be embarrassed about you before my father.’

Text: Isaiah 53: 4-6. Our iniquity taken away: a position of righteousness before the Lord.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

The Son of Man, as Jesus describes Himself even as others refer to Him as the Christ- the anointed one of God, is fully described by God’s Word spoken thru the prophet Isaiah. Truly, Jesus is the Son of man and Son of God.

John 11:33testifies that Jesus was “troubled in spirit”; Jn 12:27- that “He was sorrowful in soul”; and Jn 13:21-that “He was wounded in body.” Like all of us, Jesus is susceptible in body, soul and spirit to grieving, sorrow, temptation, testing, trials, and also the truth! The truth is that Jesus bore our nature except for sinning- in order for our souls to be saved, our bodies to be healed and our spirits to be purified from sin. In fact, as Jesus became one with us, He took upon Himself everything alien to His Divine nature and all that is a part of our proper existence: all the stuff that is not godly.  He has literally saved us from ourselves!

   You all know what we are like in our human fallen nature: in our fear, hiding, blame and shame mode of living a life bound to sin. We have become bound by our self serving desires. Our serpent mind seeks to devour all prey for our own pleasure, glory and merit! It is exactly the serpent mind that is guided by Satan’s perspective of power: to dominate us and keep us away from any relationship of thanks and praise of our creator! Satan wants us to look upon him and give him the glory and worship due to God alone.

Saints, Jesus knows us also from an understanding of power: Divine power. And by God’s design, Divine power is exchanged with humanity through servant hood.  Servant power is what Jesus brought to us in order to clean us up from the stench and filth of Satan’s lies, deceptions and distractions. Just like a person coming in to clean up a tremendous filthy mess, Jesus emptied Himself of all glory and power, being found in the appearance of humility. He was not all arrayed in the light of glory that would cover and hide the gory within our lives! No, without the lights of the glorious, Jesus dwelt within the shadows of our sin.  He became our servant who suffered all to save us from a self adorned in disgrace, shame, and damnation. And, in serving us before the Lord God,  He has become our debtor who has paid our debt as a sin offering in both His Word and deeds to our Father in Heaven.  Jesus took our mess upon Himself. Despised and living under the distress of human suffering, the Lord and King of the universe became the lowliest of men so as to bless those of us who think we are worthless. “He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” The disorders of our soul, the distress of our spirits, and the toil and sleep that are lost in trials of temptation, He has taken away. Jesus took upon Himself all hardships of life but because of sin, we do not believe it. And because we do not believe it and lack faith in Christ, He is not appreciated for His efforts.

And here is the really good news of today’s Isaiah text: By Jesus being humble while embracing our hardships, He did not seek vengeance! Enduring all of our own pain and suffering, “He bore our sickness and suffered for us” and received on our behalf- death. And among His last words recorded from the cross ofCalvary, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Remember tonight, Jesus became human for our sake even though we were already dead to God thru sin. Already prepared to be pilled together- a foul and stinking mass of flesh ready for the tombs and graves, Jesus bore the sum total of human sin and every form of transgression as well as any debt of punishment. In Christ Jesus, disobedience has been separated from obedience; wisdom has been separated from human reason; the lie has been separated from the truth; and the sinner has become righteous. The Lord has taken away our iniquity for Christ’s sake, the unforgiving has received forgiveness. Thanks be to God for the Messiah- Jesus Christ – the suffering servant foretold by the prophet Isaiah.

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him.”(Psalm 22:27)

The Reign of the Lord is forever. All nations for all time, from the first kingdom of nations to the last- all will bow down to the Lord. We are the people of His choosing.

“And He called to Him the crowd with His disciples and said to them, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

(Mk 8:34).

Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Faith Question: What wilderness experience has the Holy Spirit sent you out into- for Christ’s sake? What is the conversion experience that God is revealing to you today- face to face?

Jesus human identity has been declared by the Divine voice: “You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.”(Mark 1:11b). Now, the Divine identity of the Messiah is being declared by the human voice of Simon: “You are the Christ.”(Mark 8:29b).Jesus declares Himself to be Son of Man: others including Nathaniel, Simon, declare: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.”(Matthew 16:16). Two natures are identified: the God man declares the weakness of humanity assumed by Him; and the Christ- “The Anointed One” who has divine power through the sending of the Holy Spirit to inaugurate thekingdom ofHeaven comes to earth. Humility is power; weakness is strength; and forgiveness is love. And as we are baptized in the name of the Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit, we are all brought into a full communion with the grace of the Holy Spirit and the anointing of the Son of Man. Suddenly, in Christ, winners and losers, finders keepers- losers weepers systematic of the secular worldview is over turned! Jesus gives a new paradigm- the vision that comes from the Divine nature: finder’s weepers, loser’s keepers. Jesus teaching sounds lawful: if we are willing to give of our time, talent and treasure, then we will know salvation! And, in order to find salvation, the lose of time, talent and treasure must be in the service to others. Jesus is calling His followers into discipleship in which the loss of His life will mean life everlasting for all of us. So, law has been tipped up-side down by sacrifice and gain has replaced want. This is the experience of Christian conversion- the exchange of the Divine blessing for the human burden within our lost soul and spirit that has become blessed thru Jesus Christ.

It is exactly this coming together between the Divine loss and human gain in Christ, that the truth can be known in the trial between testing and temptation. Look at the text from Mark: Peter tempts Jesus to turn from His Divine calling as the “Anointed One” for fear of His suffering the lose of His life as predicted by Jesus- the son of Man. In a way of testing, Jesus does not tempt Peter to fight for the cause, but to have faith in the purposes of sacrifice by God. He rebukes Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! (Mark 8:33b). Now, we know that Jesus is testing (Not tempting) Peter because of the teaching that follows as recorded in the Gospel Text- (Mk8: 34-38). (Pastor Tom reads Mark 8:34-38). A Divine truth is being revealed here! Jesus is inviting Simon into a life of willing and responsible sacrifice!

Do you see what happened in this text: the Divine exchange that has taken place: that is conversion thru Jesus Christ? A willing sacrifice is one that we are challenged to make and elect to commit too because we are compelled by our own conscience to do so. There is no external force that makes us sacrifice. Please- look for yourselves- to the text to see the truth of God: “If anyone would come after Me, let Him  deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”(Mark 8:34b). This is God’s worldview as created to show His truth and define the times of testing and temptation as we have freedom to choose between our selfish will and the sacrificial will of God. And the responsible aspect of sacrifice finds its foundation in a vow or promise made. Listen carefully to our Savior Jesus: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the Gospel’s will save it.”(Mark 8:36). No sacrifice for show and glow and glory here my friends- just the theology of the cross. We are called into a life of responsible sacrifice that finds as its true measure one goal that is two fold:

1. We commit to the cross of conviction so that the truth of God will continue to find its glory in our sacrifice of time talent and treasure given to us from God.

2. That the promise be fulfilled as Jesus sacrifice is being lived out in our daily choices to serve the purpose of the Gospel in our daily lives.

Saints, what wilderness experience has the Holy Spirit sent you out into- for Christ’s sake? What conversion is being revealed to you right now?  Perhaps only you and God know over this past week. But, here’s a tip- just between Jesus- you and me- if sacrifice or giving has become real to you in your own choices to the point of God’s truth of the loving sacrifice of Jesus for our salvation- then your responsible, willing sacrifice, put to the test for the purposes of the kingdom of God, has met the cross of Christ. And, if that is truly your experience within the coming week, then you and I have not only denied ourselves and taken up our cross, but we have followed Jesus into the truth of life. The revelation of our conversion through Christ Jesus is ongoing and a part of our daily faith walk that we share with God and one another.

 In His wilderness experience of human life, Jesus has allowed the shift from the Son of Man to the Anointed One- the Christ of God to occur. Our time of prayer has become a time of proclamation! The sinful generation identity has become forfeit because of the riches of salvation we have received thru the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The wilderness experience of our lives becomes a journey from self revelation to the revelation of Jesus Christ. The invitation and challenge of Christ Jesus, is to truly live- now! The quality of life for the Christian is not about the loss of suffering but the gain of salvation! That is the wilderness walk into which we have been called by the theology of the cross of Christ.

“Who has believed what we have heard?”(Isaiah 53:1)

Isn’t it an incredible thing that we have heard this night? Jesus is recorded to have warned His disciples: “Watch out that you are not deceived.” (Luke 21:8). Jesus is speaking of Himself from the cross ofCalvary to the end of time.

    Tonight, in the first 3 verses of Isaiah 53, Isaiah is prophesying about God’s Son, the Messiah. He is warning by the prophecy recorded in chapter 53- not to be deceived by outward appearances. Before the cross of Christ, the Messiah will be a suffering mediator- our suffering Savior.

 This is hard to understand for humanity: how can the savior suffer?  The One who sits at God’s right hand is the Son who has the authority to judge and decide the fate of all creation. Trial, temptation and testing surely ought not to be a part of His reign! But, as the Son of God, He chose for Himself a lowly estate to become one with us. He was born into a world that despises the testimony of the truth while moving from one temptation to another. And in become like us by all outward appearance, humanity looked upon Him as a mere man- due no special glory or reverence. Without the eyes of faith, He was so common in fact, and from such lowly upbringing that Nathanael actually asked the question: “What Good can come out ofNazareth?”

But it was not the bodily outward appearance that was to draw us into the Lord’s salvation, but the soul and spirit of Jesus. Within the human form was contained the alien form- the faith filled form- the Divine form in which the exchange of sin for salvation would become real. From His soul of servant- hood and His Spirit of love, Jesus exchanged His form of Divinity for the deformity of the world. In Him alone, the desensitized people who hear but do not understand; those who see but do not perceive; those in the know who do not have wisdom are given the greatest revelation of God the Father.  

And what is that revelation? The revelation is this: that as the hand and arm of Jesus has been sent to execute the will of God the Father- so we too have received the Father whose hand and arm are upon the Son. Jesus is the one sent to do that which the FATHER has ordained. Jesus is the hand and arm of God the Father: through Him alone all has been accomplished for our salvation.

Saints, watch out and do not be deceived. It is incredible that the one who was begotten from the most High God, through the faith given a virgin, ordained by the Holy Spirit to be the wonderful, the counselor, the glorified in appearance, the mighty of God coming on the clouds as the judge of all people was to be without comeliness to humanity, liable to suffering, despised among people and humbled unto the curse of death on the cross. Treated with contempt, insulted and inferior in status, Jesus- no father in human nature, no mother in Divine nature, was foretold by the prophet Isaiah to be deformed by our sin, tormented by tyrants, tempted by the devil, and tested by the father in Heaven.

In human nature we treat God such- with contempt. God has responded with the Christ-His anointed One.

“He who dwells in the secrete place of the Most High, Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). There is no plural noted here- it is in the secrete place of the most High that we abide under the shadow of the Almighty God. We have been given this word today in order that we might understand that the plan for our salvation and the time of our redemption has been fulfilled. There is no question or doubt: just faith. Today we are going to be considering the times of temptation and testing that are a part of our faith walk.

“After these things God tested Abraham and said to him… (Genesis 22:1a)

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself tempts no one.”(James 1:12-18.)

“The Spirit immediately drove Him out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.” (Mark 1:9-15).

Grace, mercy and peace…

Good morning.  I would like to start our conversation of faith by returning to Cardinal Dolan’s quest to become something more than a Cardinal. As you may remember from the news of last week, the Archbishop of New York on becoming a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church stated that he was pleased to become a Cardinal, but that his joy was tempered by his own desire to take the next step: to become a saint! As the interview came to a close, Cardinal Dolan shared his own idea about how to become a saint. From the Cardinals perspective and belief- sainthood is gained by being more holy. Today, I’d like to share a quote from the files of Reverend Brian Stoffregen called, “The Road to Holiness.”

A seeker after truth came to a saint for guidance.

“Tell me, wise one, how did you become holy?”

“Two words.”

“And what are they, please?”

“Right choices.”

The seeker was fascinated. “How does one learn to choose rightly?”

“One word.”

“One word! May I have it, please?” the seeker asked.

“Growth.”

The seeker was thrilled. “How does one grow?”

“Two words.”

“What are they, pray tell?”

“Wrong choices.”

Theology of Glory vs. The Theology of the Cross- Part 2- Do you see the difference?

Jesus was driven out into the wilderness for- holiness sake?

Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden for- holiness sake?

The nationIsraelwas driven into the dessert for- holiness sake?

No matter what the time frame, 40 days, 40 generations, or 40 years, the question remains the same: the wilderness experiences- are they a part of the path to holiness?   

 Today’s faith question is two fold: First: Why does God allow there to be trials in our life? The second follows the first: What wilderness experience has the Holy Spirit sent you out into- for Christ’s sake? We’ll consider the first part today: next week the second part. We find our answer within the framework of one word and its meanings: πειράζω – (peirazō)- testing or  tempting.

Three meanings for the word πειράζω – (peirazō):

   1. Testing: to try to learn the nature of character of someone or

       something by submitting such to thorough and extensive

       testing

2.Tempting: to obtain information to be used against such a

   person by trying to cause someone to make a mistake

3.Tempting: to endeavor or attempt to cause someone to sin.

.

Now, the test- or is this a trial- for you and me according to the bible: Whether a test or temptation- the trial comes down to a matter of the will!

Please remember: In a “test” the tester is not trying to make the testees fail, but to determine what they know or what they can do. In a “temptation” the tempter is trying to make the tempted to fail.  Tempters can’t make someone do something bad, but try to make the temptee _want_ to do something bad. They don’t take away the will. Rather, they try to change one’s will. When we sin, it is not a problem of knowledge. We

usually know what is good and bad—we’ve known that since the time of Adam

and Eve. It is a problem of the will. We just want to do the bad. Or there

are times we just don’t want to do the good. More often than not, it is not a

question of ignorance—of not knowing the difference between good and bad. It

is a question of one’s will or conviction—what do I want to do and what will I do.

Question of testing or tempting from the bible:

* God _(tested)_ Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son (Gn 22:1). Today’s text.

* When God rained bread from heaven, God asked that they gather only enough

for that day. “In that way I will _ (test) _ them, whether they will follow my

instruction or not” (Ex 16:4).

* Satan_ (Tempted)-_ Adam and Eve to sin against God.

* Satan_ (Tempted) _ Jesus to sin against God. “And He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan”. (Mark1:13).

 A purpose of God’s testing is given in Dt 13:3b: “for the LORD your God is

_testing_ you, to know whether you indeed love the LORD your God with all

your heart and soul”

A closely related word, ἐκπειράζω (_ekpeirazō_), is used in Dt 8:2:

“Remember the long way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years

 in the wilderness [ἔρημος - _erēmos_—same word in temptation stories], in order to humble you, _ (testing) _ you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments.”

I think that the purpose of Jesus’ “testing” in the wilderness is closely

related to Dt 8:1-10: To observe and keep the commands of the Lord; to be humble; to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. And in the testing from the Lord, there is no hunger, (God fed with Manna), “Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years.”(Duet 8:4).

The purpose of Satan’s tempting is to seek to take away the Word of God,

which is easily done with people who are too “hard-hearted” for the Word to

take root. If God’s Word is not well rooted in our lives, then we can’t know

God’s purpose for us. Thus it will be easy for Satan or other people to

steer us away from that purpose. And just as God uses human agency for His glory, Satan uses human agency for his purposes. I believe that God’s purpose in times of testing—to help us grow—to show us that we have the faith and ability to stand up to the testing—that we will trust God in difficult times—to strengthen our faith and Christian

character. We rely upon God, angels and each-other to strength us in our trial which is set between testing from God and temptation from Satan.

 At the same time, Satan has his own purpose—to turn the testees away from God—to “tempt” them to sin. Every other time πειράζω(_peirazō_) is used in Mark, the “testers” are human beings (always Pharisees): asking for a sign from heaven (8:11); asking

about the legality of divorce (10:2); and with the Herodians, asking about paying taxes (12:15).

I don’t think that most of the “testings” of our faith comes directly from a face to face confrontation with Satan or demonic beings as was the case with Jesus, but from the will of other people… not of God.

In a sermon, Martin Luther said:

  * God uses the devil and the evil angels. They, of course, desire to ruin

    everything; but God blocks them, unless a well-earned scourging is in

    order. God allows pestilence, war, or some other plague to come, that we

    may humble ourselves before Him, fear Him, hold to Him, and call upon

    Him. When God has accomplished all these purposes through the scourge,

    then the good angels come again to perform their office. They bid the

    Devil stops the pestilence, war, and famine. So the devil must serve us

    with the very thing with which he plans to injure us; for God is such a

    great Master that He is able to turn even the wickedness of the devil

    into good. [_What Luther Says_, Vol. 1, pages 401-402]

I’ve heard Luther’s thought summarized by saying that God uses the devil to

test people. God’s purpose in the testing is to strengthen faith, but the

devil has his purpose in the testing—to destroy faith. I think that Jesus’

time with Satan resulted in a stronger faith that could have only happened

by going through the 40 days of testing.

A short story from _A Treasury of Jewish Folklore: Stories, Traditions,

Legends, Humor, Wisdom and Folk Songs of the Jewish People_, Edited by

Nathan Ausubel, Copyright, 1948, Crown Publishers, Inc.,New York

  * The Evil Spirit once came dejected before God and wailed, “Almighty

    God—I want you to know that I am bored—bored to tears! I go around doing

    nothing all day long. There isn’t a stitch of work for me to do!”

  *

  * “I can’t understand you,” replied God. There’s plenty of work to be done

    only you’ve got to have more initiative. Why don’t you try to lead

    people into sin? That’s your job!”

  * “Lead people into sin!” muttered the Evil Spirit contemptuously. “Why

    Lord, even before I can get a chance to say a blessed word to anyone he has already gone and sinned!”

First: Why does God allow there to be trials in our life?

Jesus is driven out into the wilderness by the power of the Holy Spirit, and He comes face to face with the devil! Is it for holiness sake- is that what His trial was all about? Isn’t Jesus already- Son of God, therefore Holy? And what the heck is Satan doing lurking around during our holy time with God? Isn’t it odd how the devil is always right there- facing you in the wilderness moments of your life? Jesus is on record from past texts as seeking out the wilderness in order to have prayer time with His Father in Heaven. Jesus fasts in the wilderness which is a prayer filled discipline of the Christian faith. So, it is a moment of retreat from the world and intimate time with the creator: wilderness is prayer time! And at the time when Jesus is closest to God in prayer, evil attacks! Didn’t that also happen in the Garden of Eden: Adam and Eve closest to God and evil attacks! In the wilderness, Jesus is attacked by the devil and immediate faces the human trial of testing and temptation.

A purpose of God’s testing is given in Dt 13:3b: “for the LORD your God is_testing_ you, to know whether you indeed love the LORD your God with all your heart and soul”

Jesus is face to face with Satan, and His will finds the Divine resolve to defeat Satan, Lucifer, the devil. Why does God allow the trial to go on in our life between being tested by God or tempted by Satan? It’s a matter of finding the resolve within us to allow God to will freely in our soul. We become convicted by God’s testing to commit ourselves completely to His will: we not only submit to God but surrender all that we are to His purpose alone. That is the reason for the trial between God’s testing and Satan’s temptation.

Next week: part 2: What wilderness experience has the Holy Spirit sent you out into- for Christ’s sake?