Then I read somewhere (and I’ve looked everywhere to find the exact book or website that I read this), that we aren’t supposed to be able to fast for 40 days like Jesus did without some kind of struggle. It is our human nature, one that is full of fear, power struggles, self-involvement, pride and apathy that keeps us from being able to resist temptation. Jesus didn’t have the same problems that we do, which is why he’s able to say no to those temptations offered by the devil in Matthew. However, our human nature should not be used as an excuse to hide behind…even when we fail, we keep walking in the wilderness with Jesus during these 40 days so that we can reflect on and acknowledge the ways in which we have separated ourselves from God and one another. In other words, we mess it up, we confess it, and we keep going.
In the reading from Genesis, we have the first temptation and the first failure…Adam and Eve are seduced by the serpent and the knowledge of good and evil. Like each of us, they succumb to temptation because it’s exactly that…temptation. The tree and the fruit are beautiful, the opportunity for knowledge and power is great. And while there is nothing inherently wrong with beauty, knowledge and power, the desire for these things ultimately led to failure for the original plan. Yet, God is good and gracious…instead of death, there is life…perhaps not the intended life, but life none the less. And there is a chance for redemption.
In Matthew, we see that the hope for redemption is Jesus…his ability to refuse temptation and give all of us new life in a more fulfilling way. The temptations that Jesus is presented with are all about self-involved love of worldly goods and power…how easy it would have been for him to say yes to any of these. Yet, he says no. His “no” is divine forgiveness for us. His “no” provides us the opportunity to be happy when our transgressions are forgiven. His “no” helps us to be able to offer up our confessions and truly seek repentance.
And so I think perhaps this Lent I will worry less about Thin Mints and checking off lists of practices. I think I’d much rather spend time in prayer and reflection about the gift of forgiveness, about the desire to be free from self-involvement, and then be happy, like the psalmist, that I have made my confession and seek new beginnings.
May this season of Lent be a blessing for you as you reflect on and practice forgiveness, repentance and prayer. God is good and there is always hope for redemption.