
Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“Monkey see, monkey do.” If you’ve ever been around a child before, you know this expression well. Kids are known for copying whatever they see, be it good or bad. If someone throws a pillow, the kid will pick up the closest item to him and throw it too. If you start jumping up and down, most likely the kid will do it too. This is only natural to us and doesn’t escape us even as adults. One of the primary ways we learn is by example, that is, by watching others do something first and copying their actions.
Examples are a great way to learn something new until it’s an example you can’t follow. Take for instance the convoluted instructions you find with building furniture. Or there are those times where our parents tell us “Do as I say and not as I do.” Examples aren’t perfect. Even if it is a perfect example, sometimes the issue is with us following it. We struggle to copy exactly what we saw.
As we enter Lent, we begin by observing Jesus being tempted by Satan. Jesus is led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Consider the first temptation, “The devil said to [Jesus], ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone.” Luke 4:3-4. The following two temptations are answered in the same fashion. Satan tempts Jesus and Jesus responds with Scripture, “It is written...”. From this, we often say, “See, you just need to know God’s word and you can resist Satan too!” In this way, we treat Jesus like our example to follow.
The only issue is we aren’t capable of following Jesus’ example. When we treat Jesus’ temptation like a five-step plan on how to beat temptations and Satan, we get stuck on step one. For when Jesus becomes only an example to us, his perfection condemns our imperfection. We regularly mess up when temptations rise, and where Jesus stood strong, we often fall. It’s not because we didn’t watch Jesus’ example. It’s because we’re wholly and completely sinful. The power and strength don’t reside within us.
Thus, when temptations arise for us, it’s not on us to follow Jesus’ example perfectly. On the contrary, Jesus came to be tempted so that he may overcome temptations for us. Jesus is our substitute! He takes our place in the wilderness with Satan so that his strength can become our strength. His victory can become our victory. This is why we’re meant to look to Jesus, not to copy his every deed, but to see that he has already done it for us! We must continue to watch Jesus because he doesn’t stop in the wilderness. Jesus continues his fight by going all the way to the cross. Jesus dies for you, that is, in your place, so that you may live in his place! In this way, our strength to overcome temptations and sin doesn’t rely on us following Jesus’ example, but in faith, that is, looking to Jesus and trusting in His victory for us!
Pastor Sorenson
Prayer:
O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!