To start today’s sermon I want to tell you a story: A highly successful CEO was tragically hit by a bus and died. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself. Welcome to Heaven," said St. Peter. "Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've never once had a CEO make it this far and we're not really sure what to do with you." “No problem, just let me in," said the woman. St. Peter replied, "Well, I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we're going to do is let you have a day in Hell and day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in." "Actually, I think I've made up my mind, I prefer to stay in Heaven", said the woman. "Sorry, we have rules......" And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it went down-down-down to hell.

The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all her friends--fellow executives that she had worked with, and they were well-dressed and cheering for her. They ran up, kissed her on both cheeks, and talked about old times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner. She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy (kinda cute) and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved good-bye as she got on the elevator. The elevator went up-up-up and opened back up at the Pearly Gates where St. Peter was waiting for her. "Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said. So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds, playing the harp, and singing. She had a great time and before she knew it, her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her. "So---you've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in heaven.. Now you must choose your eternity." The woman paused for a second and then replied, "Well, I never thought I'd say this. I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell." So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went down-down-down back to Hell. When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks. The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her. "I don't understand," stammered the woman, "yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable."

The Devil looked at her and smiled. "Yesterday we were recruiting you. Now you are a resident.” The moral of this story of course is to never trust the devil, no matter what kind of presentation the ‘evil one’ makes.

Ash Wednesday is over and Lent has begun; 40 days, not counting Sundays, from last Wednesday to Easter. As far as we have records, the story of Jesus being led to the desert for a fast of 40 days begins the Lenten season. This account of Jesus being tempted by Satan is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke. In our scriptures today we also have another temptation story about Adam and Eve and the serpent in the Garden of Eden. In this story Adam and Eve succumb to the serpent—the devil in disguise—and eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the one tree from which God had commanded that they not eat. Barbara Brown Taylor points out that it seems that both Adam and Jesus were tempted by the chance to play God. In Adams case he wanted to break out of his dependence on God and know good and evil for himself. In Jesus case it was the chance to feed every hunger, to have all power. Ironically, the man who did not step over the line from man to God is the one who became known as the Son of God. My focus in this sermon will be on the story where Jesus withstands Satan’s temptation. Hopefully we may be able to relate these temptations to our own lives: becoming more aware of how we are tempted and how we can gather strength from our faith to withstand temptations.

First, a word of explanation about terminology. According to John Shearman, an excellent biblical scholar, “Our word “devil" translates the Greek *diabolos" which originally meant *accuser* or *slandered*. In the Septuagint (LXX), it was used to translate the Hebrew word *satan*, meaning *adversary*. By 200 BCE the name *Satan* had become the embodiment of evil and by NT times it had become synonymous with *devil*.” I will use the words interchangeably.

More and more scholars recognize each of the temptations of Jesus as temptation to power: first, economic power; second, military/political power, and third, religious power. Let’s look at each of them.•

The first temptation to turn stones into bread seems at first glance quite simple—feed the hungry. How can this be about economic power? If we remember that Jesus had been fasting for 40 days, we can see how this invitation is for Jesus to first satisfy his own needs and appetites. In a consumer culture such as ours we are surrounded by this temptation. It begins with our toddlers who watch TV and see all the latest toys that look like so much fun. As our children grow older they believe they must have a certain pair of shoes or piece of clothing in order to be “cool” and fit with the in-crowd. To quote Bill Kellerman, “Appetites are researched, targeted, hooked, inflated, managed, and manufactured. People are held in bondage by them.” Now that I have bought a house I fear that I will be caught up in this scene. ‘This house is so beautiful, I must have a, b, c, and d in order to furnish and decorate it appropriately.’ With Jesus much more is at stake than his own hunger; I’m sure he yearns for the ability to feed all those who are without adequate food. Jesus’ ministry is filled with examples of food and drink right from his first miracle in the Gospel of John of turning water into wine, to the feeding of the crowds with fish and bread, the eating with tax collectors and sinners, right up through the Last Supper and the resurrection meals where he cooks his disciples fish for breakfast. To bless, break, give, and eat bread is such a common part of Jesus’ ministry. If he or we so choose that same bread offered freely may be withheld and granted as a means to power. Does that ever happen with our nation?

The second temptation is much more straightforward in its seductiveness and power. Satan takes Jesus high up to the very pinnacle of the temple and says, if you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written that God will save you, the angels will bear you up. In other words, prove how great and powerful you are! Wylie-Kellerman interprets it like this, “Hell”, says the devil, “we could make the whole world a Christian nation. You could ensure that every war is a just war. I have this power to grant to you to be the Commander in chief of Christian Nuclear Forces worldwide. Better you than someone else.” What power! And what a spectacle it would make to see the angels preventing Jesus’ fall, bearing him up. Wouldn’t you rather be noticed in a spectacular save from a fall than in suffering and dying? Do we as the church ever take the easy way, rather than challenging the powers and principalities? Do we stay silent rather than risk the opposition? Do we put the Lord, our God to the test?

The third temptation takes place on a high mountain. The devil shows Jesus the splendor of all the kingdoms in the world and promises him that they will all be his if he only bows down and worships him. Do we ever worship false gods rather than our God of love? Do we worship power and might? Do we accept the military contract although we do not really believe that the war is just? How many of you can remember when government employees had to swear to a loyalty oath? I worked for the state of California in the 60’s and had to sign an oath saying that I would support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.” At the same time I was reading Black Panther Eldridge Cleaver’s Soul on Ice and was registered in the Peace and Freedom party. If I had not signed the oath I could not have worked as a social worker in a job that I most wanted. Was it wrong for me to sign the oath? I certainly had reservations about pledging ‘true faith’ to a government instead of to my God.

Jesus refused to yield to the devil’s temptations. Instead he said “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, worship the Lord your God; and serve only him.”(v. 10) And then we are told that the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

To keep a holy Lent, I believe we need to follow Jesus into the desert to face our own dark side, the side that so easily can justify yielding to temptations. I believe we need to confront these forces in our prayer life. We need to reflect on whose we are, to find our true identity and calling. The choices we have to make are often difficult, gut-wrenching choices. I pray that we do not choose because of surface things: the latest fashions, more money, enhanced self-image, prestigious cars and homes, things of the false self—but reflect on what is truly meaningful, deeper things: love, service, relationships with our God and with each other. Remember that Jesus’ temptations are also our own temptations. You are not alone in your struggle. As soon as Jesus told the devil to leave him, the angels came and waited on him. I would hope that the members of this church would also be there with each other as we struggle to be God’s family and follow Jesus. God bless you all and may you be strengthened for your Lenten journey. Amen.

• These ideas are based on an internet article on Sojourner’s Preaching the Word by Bill Wylie-Kellerman.