Tempted

Scripture:  Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7  • Psalm 32  •  Romans 5:12-19  •  Matthew 4:1-11

This Sunday our Scripture is the tales of two Adams. The first Adam in the garden of Eden, and Jesus, the second Adam, in the wilderness. Both are tempted.

As we begin Lent, we study the significance of the temptation of Christ, and our own temptations. Both Jesus, and we, as he tells us, are God's beloved. Why are God's beloved tempted? Why does the Spirit lead Jesus into the desert, and why do we find ourselves in wilderness situations? Debie Thomas' "Tempted" is the best consideration of today's gospel I have read. What can we take away from this week's lesson?

Transformed by the light of Christ

Scripture: Exodus 24:12-18  •  Psalm 2 or Psalm 99  •  2 Peter 1:16-21  •  Matthew 17:1-9

This last Sunday of the Epiphany season we see the light shining brightest in Christ in his glory in the Transfiguration narrative of Matthew. With Moses and Elijah, Jesus is shown to fulfill (complete) the law and the prophets in all wholeness, reconciling us to God as God in man made manifest.

Just as the love and forgiveness of God through his Christ helps transform us today (See The Rev. Anne Howard's "A Word in Time,"), Christ, in all his glory, who took on all the pain, suffering and sin of man, is more than man (See Fred B. Craddock's "Christ is Not as We Are"), and is to be worshipped and gloried with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, true light from true light, the Blessed Trinity.

And yet He is with us, and will draw us up, in our journey no matter what the circumstances (See Stephen Paul Bouman's "Marias Full of Grace").

As we come down off the mountain, will we come down with Jesus to complete the work in his kingdom? Will we be transformed to see as God sees? The Rev. Warren Thomas Swenson tells us how in "Look for Jesus."

In "Is It Good For Us To Be Here?" Debi Thomas helps us recognize Jesus when we don't have mountaintop experiences.

New Commandments - New Community

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 or Sirach 15:15-20  •  Psalm 119:1-8  •  1 Corinthians 3:1-9  •  Matthew 5:21-37

Our readings this week refer to commandments. Jesus gives us new commandments, and radical they are, or are they? He says, "You have heard it was said..." followed by a commandment, and then says, "but I say to you..." followed by seemingly extreme demands. For example: commandment: "You shall not murder..." followed by: "if you are angry with a brother or sister, you are liable to judgment." Or, "Do not commit adultery..." followed by "whoever looks at a woman with lust has committed adultery in his heart, "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." 

 What is Jesus telling us? Some call his remarks "antitheses" to the commandments, but he has told us he has come not to destroy the law, but to fulfill the law. It helps to read the gospel in context. What is Jesus doing here? Who is he addressing? Both Debie Thomas in "But I Say To You...," and The Rev. Josh Bowron in "All Sinners," put this into context. They say it must be read with Jesus' life and in the context of the creation of a new community of faith and action, not in a transactional context. The Rev. Warren Swenson in "Mining The Riches" says Jesus is drawing deeper meaning from the law. What do you think?This is a good lesson to prepare for Lent.

We are to be the salt of the earth, light of the world... and perfect??

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)  • Psalm 112:1-9 (10) 
 • 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)  • Matthew 5:13-20

After Jesus gave us his sermon on the mount, teaching us different standards to live by than the prevailing ways of the world - so different and life changing that Dietrich Bonhoeffer based his Cost of Discipleship on the Beatitudes - he then charged us to be "the salt of the earth" and "light of the world." In verse 48 of the fifth chapter of Matthew, Jesus commands us to be "perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."  What does he mean? Is Jesus commanding us to do what we cannot possibly do? Is he to be taken literally? Is it hyperbole to make a point? Does he mean you and me, and now?

In "Salt and Light" The Rev. Anne Howard  has an interesting discussion about the qualities and meanings of salt, and light, particularly in terms of being engaged and useful with others. Fred B. Craddock explores what Jesus means in his charge to be "perfect" in "You, Therefore, Must Be Perfect." Finally, in "epiphany 5a reflection: lose the morons," The Rev. Rick Morley tells us not to be morons as he draws on the Greek word for "low-grade," used for losing one's saltiness, or becoming tasteless - μωραίνω - mōrainō. That's right, we're to do great things and not be morons.

Read The Rev. Kirk Kubicek's "Salt, Light, and Stardust," and Debie Thomas' "Salty."

The Feast of The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 84 ; Psalm 24:7-10; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, as Mary and Joseph take Jesus to Jerusalem to make a sacrifice of redemption to consecrate the first born. We see that they are too poor to sacrifice a lamb, and sacrifice two turtledoves instead. And we encounter Simeon who gives us his song, which we know as Nunc dimittis, and who, along with the prophetess Anna, recognizes the long awaited Messiah in this special child, whose name means "salvation," and who will redeem his people.

We have three wonderful articles which relate the prophesy in Malachi to the gospel account, and which tell us about the custom of the times, how this special feast came about, and its significance to the mission of Christ. It is also known as "The Presentation of Christ in the Temple," "Candlemas," and "The Encounter," in different traditions. See John W. Martens "The Presentation of the Lord," Candlemas, The Presentation of Christ," and Michael Marsh's "A Sermon for the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas)."