Deuteronomy 26:1-11             Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16                  Romans 10:8b-13        Luke 4:1-13

Despite the fact that the Ash Wednesday Gospel reading was of Jesus instructing us to fast in silence, I want to share with you my experience of fasting this past Wednesday.  Shortly after lunch time had passed I knew I would not be able to celebrate at the 5:30 service if I maintained a strict observance of my fast.  So I modified my fast and ate a fig bar.  I could not last a single day, and cannot imagine fasting for forty days as Christ did.  Luke’s telling of Jesus being led to the wilderness for forty days of fasting and temptation is just another example of the strength of Christ’s faith. 

Jesus’ fast was not the first 40 day fast mentioned in the Bible.  Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the Ten Commandments.  When he came down from the mountain with the stone tablets he found the people of Israel worshiping an idol.  Moses then threw the tablets on the ground, breaking them.  He returned to the mountain and fasted another 40 days – that’s 80 days of fasting! 

Given the number of Old Testament accounts of people fasting – what Jesus did was not so remarkable, but it was evidence of his righteousness.  And, the stories of his temptations tell us so much more about this man.  Jesus entered the wilderness, led by the Holy Spirit, not as a test of his faith – though that certainly took place, but in order to prepare for his ministry.  Preparation for any undertaking includes considering the options and in his case, Jesus was deciding how best to reach people.  Anyone with his ability would be tempted to do so by amazing people with his abilities – turning stone into bread was certainly one way he could get our attention.   But getting our attention with tricks only makes us want more – it does not move us into a deeper relationship with each other or with God. 

Another temptation would be to become the “man in charge,” the king over all kingdoms.  From the throne he could then declare that the hungry are to be fed, the naked are to be clothed, and sick are to receive care.  As an individual traveling across the country, Jesus could only cure so many people – but as king he could insist that others do what is right and care for each other.  Yet, Jesus understood that to change the hearts of men and women something more was needed – something much more. 

To change the hearts of others, Jesus would have to give his own life.  He would need to turn the hearts of his disciples, and trust them to carry on the message of hope.  He must be willing to carry the cross on which he would be sacrificed for us.  People were waiting for a messiah, but the messiah they expected would not change the world as they knew it, for they understood military power and expected a messiah to lead them in battle.   Jesus knew they needed a messiah who would teach them the path of peace, love, and acceptance. 

The last temptation that Jesus had to overcome in the wilderness was the temptation to hide behind God’s protection.  It was the temptation to go halfway and stop short of giving his life.  After all, he could have lived a long life preaching, teaching, and healing.  Wherever he went crowds gathered – yet he knew he could not change the world that way, no matter how long he lived.  Jesus knew that to get our attention, he would need to die on the cross. His death and resurrection were necessary for us to change, and he was his choice.  His crucifixion was an expression of his love for us.

Christ’s ministry was one from the heart – the source of all true ministries.  On Ash Wednesday, I noted that the transforming power of Christ begins in the heart – but true transformation must be expressed. 

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he says you must “confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead.”  Paul says that if we do this, we will be saved.  Does this mean that we must tell everyone we met the Good News that Christ is our Lord and Savior?  Some people believe that is exactly what this means. 

In liturgy there is a saying, “as you pray, you believe.”  In fact I have a book titled, Praying Shapes Believing.   How we pray does help to shape our beliefs.  But just as important – and I dare say even more important, is that what we believe shapes our prayers and most importantly our actions.

In a time when church membership has been on the decline nationwide, there are churches that are attracting younger people through mission.  The witness that speaks the loudest is action – and young people get involved in causes.  One such cause, Habitat for Humanity does not exist in this community.  At the vestry retreat, the vestry decided to explore establishing an office in our area.  Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical organization and a ministry that will require us to enlist the help of others. 

In this congregation I have seen a desire to help others, and I have seen the value of us working side by side to achieve a goal.  The vestry’s hope in helping this community start Habitat for Humanity is three-fold.  First, it an opportunity for us to proclaim the gospel –not by words, but by example.  Second, it will help us build a greater sense of community as we work together.  And third, it will require us to invite others in the community to join with us – thus expanding our circle of friends.  To achieve these goals we must take our church out into the community and invite others to join us in service.

Christ chose the cross because he needed to get our attention so we would help – Habitat for Humanity is one possible way for us to help Christ in this community.  It is not about building homes, it is about helping families build a future.  People are needed to construct homes, but people are also needed to help families learn to manage their finances so they can make their monthly mortgage payments. There is work for everyone in a program like Habitat for Humanity.

Lent is our time of listening and preparation.  It is not enough to hear God’s call, we must also use this time to prepare as Christ prepared in the wilderness – we must prepare to go out into the world and serve others.

Let us Pray.

            Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out you arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace:  So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name.  Amen.