Temptation: an old-fashioned idea which conjures up images of a red figure with horns, tail and a pitchfork. So many jokes and cartoons have been based on this image, that it is possible for us to dismiss the idea of temptation altogether. Jesus faced it, but surely we don't have to.

What a foolish and dangerous attitude that is! The psychological and spiritual reality of temptation happens to us, whether we recognize it or not, whether we believe that a devil exists or not. Very often, it shows up as a normal desire for some good thing: for food, for safety, for some recognition of the effort I've made. Indeed, there is nothing wrong with a delicious meal, or a safe car to drive, or an expression of gratitude for my work. What may be wrong, is my relationship to the meal, or the car, or the expression of gratitude. What role do those good things have in my life; what effect are they having on my heart?

I believe each of those temptations that Jesus faced, are for us, intensified by our culture in the 21st century. The temptation Jesus faced, to turn stones into bread, is the temptation to focus on meeting physical needs, my own and others. In the consumer society of 2004, there are a million more things to meet those needs, and whole industries devoted to telling us we will be happy if we buy low-carb snacks, designer jackets, and the latest widgets from Fry's. Again, the objects themselves are not evil or wrong; what might be wrong is trying to fill our desire for goodness, with the acquisition of good things.

We have built into us a desire or longing for goodness which can only be filled by God. This desire is part of what it means to be made in God's image: we have a spiritual nature as well as a physical nature. That spiritual nature cannot be satisfied by any of the very good things God had created, nor by the good things human beings have made. Our spirits long for a living connection to the source of goodness, of truth, and of love. I'm sure this is the reason that all human cultures have some kind of religion. And it is certainly the reason that today there is such an explosion of new age spirituality, along with the revival of any and all means for getting in touch with spiritual reality, from tarot cards to labyrinths, from yoga to pilgrimages.

What this means in practical terms, is that we need to ask ourselves a few difficult questions, when we find that we have a strong desire for some thing. Where in myself does this desire come from? What need will be filled if I buy or experience this thing I want? Do I have a spiritual need which is masquerading as a desire for a thing or an experience? Look beneath the surface of your desire, and see what you find there.

The second temptation Jesus faced, according to Luke, is the temptation to take power over the Kingdoms of the earth. While none of us are in a position to have that kind of power, we are all tempted, from time to time, by the desire to control our lives, and the lives of those we love. Again, in our post-modern society of 2004, there are many forms of control we exercise, that were unthinkable to our grandparents and ancestors. From flu vaccines to cancer drugs, from nuclear power to satellite communications, from the use of computers to scan fingerprints to genetic testing for inherited conditions, we have much more control over our lives. Therefore we are in danger of thinking that we are no longer limited or vulnerable. We feel great frustration that medicine cannot cure all diseases, and we hate the fact that we can be hurt by floods, fires and earthquakes.

This temptation arises both from the desire to protect ourselves from harm and also from the desire to do it right. Both desires are natural, and if they are held lightly, in recognition of one's own limitations, are commendable. But they easily grow like an invisible octopus and take over our lives. Unconsciously we may be thinking, "if I'm there everyone will be safe" or " if I'm in charge, I know it will be done correctly, the first time." Gradually we lose sight of the many things we do not control, and at the same time, we lose sight of our own vulnerability. In effect, we displace God in our desire to "have it my way."

For reasons we cannot quite grasp, God made a world in which there is suffering, failure, disease and death. When Jesus chose not to rule all the kingdoms of the earth, he was choosing these same conditions of vulnerability, which would inevitably lead him to a situation from which there would be no exit but death. Last Wednesday in our Bible study, we spent an hour discussing why Jesus after he was arrested, did not answer his accusers. He did not answer, because he had already made his choice, and given his message. There was nothing more to say. When we face this temptation of wanting to control everything, we must begin, gently, to ask ourselves, who do I think I am? We may have to grieve that there is so much pain and suffering; and we may have to tell God of our anger over that suffering. Then, after all that we may break through to discover that God is not my security against harm, but a Greater Mystery who loves us and walks with us and even gives us joy, through the pain we endure.

The third temptation Jesus faced, was to become a hero and a celebrity by throwing himself down from the Temple without injury, since the angels would protect him. This is the temptation to be admired, to be liked, to be able to please…which we all probably have to some degree. Jesus turned away from this temptation, because people would have followed him for the wrong reason: for exciting displays of supernatural power, and not for his message of forgiveness and love.

Our corresponding temptation, I believe, is to imitate what other people do, and to purchase what other people have, in order to be up-to-date, to be admired, and to be liked. Our advertising industry encourages this temptation, by telling us that "everybody" should have this year's fashion in clothes, and this month's update in cell phones, and the experiences of the NEW attractions at Disneyland. But even without advertising, we are easily tempted to try to be like someone else, who seems to be stronger, or more attractive than we are, or more spiritual or more competent. This a very subtle temptation, which can be resisted only if we are aware of it, by accepting and forgiving ourselves first. Then we must go on to ask, who am I in the presence of God? What gifts and graces has God given me? How am I called to live my life in my present circumstances?

Each of these temptations presents us with an easy and obvious choice which will lead us away from God. Our ability to resist these temptations, depends on our awareness of ourselves, our choice to spend time with God in worship, prayer, and study, and on the support of the Christian community. If you and I choose to seek God's goodness, if you and I give up trying to control our world, if you and I turn away from imitating others in order to become more fully the person God created us to be, we will have entered through the narrow gate that leads to eternal life.

Amen