26 February 2023

In the scripture version of the Matthew reading, unlike the paraphrase we just had, it opens with this phrase “the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness”

Wilderness implies a place that is not tamed by human occupation. In the physical world, it might be a desert, mountain, forest, or ocean. Within our own lives, it may involve times of uncertainty, experiencing the unknown, or having to make choices with no clear outcomes. Even urban areas can produce wilderness times as the high incidents of modern loneliness shows.

Wilderness is a powerful and re-occurring image in the Hebrew Scriptures so it is not surprising we find it here at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. The prophets Elisha and Elijah both had wilderness experiences that forced them into choices and decisions. The people of Israel journeyed through the wilderness for forty years before they were able to enter the Promised Land. That bunch of ragtag former slaves had a lot of decisions to make and learning to do before they could truly become the people of Israel.

So the Spirit sends Jesus into the wilderness; to be tested, to prepare, to find out who he is. And in an echo of the trials of the people of Israel he is there for forty days. Clearly, before any great move of God the Spirit demands that we are prepared. It may not mean forty days up Mt Hutt or 40 hours of silent prayer and fasting, but time needs to be set aside, at the very least to show our commitment, for whatever God is planning.

In this instant age we live in, taking time to prepare, to do what seems like nothing much, is very hard. But throughout history major changes in individual and group’s lives seems to require this time. Think of the impact Nelson Mandela had after many years of what we can see as we can see as preparation. I am sure we can all think of others who used a life-time of experience, but they might have regarded as wilderness. 21 years in jail is not normally a requirement for leadership of a country, but Mandela was enabled to be the right person at the right time because of this. Such people may think their lives were worthless but actually God was preparing them for when they were needed.

We may know people who have had this harsh preparation time, or have had it happen for themselves. Despite the fetish we have with youth there is nothing more powerful in a crisis than a person who has to scars to prove they have survived this before.

And let’s face it, most of us have had the experience of dismissing possibly good advice because it comes from some young whippersnapper. We don’t give it value because “what would they know of the real world.”

Jesus had to be prepared to face the most difficult job in the world so he is led into the wilderness. As we face our own wilderness times it is such a comfort to rest on promises like those in Psalm 32. God is our hiding place. God preserves us, and surrounds us, and protects us. And best of all God is with us. We are not alone in the unknowing, the uncertainty.

When we are in the wilderness, we often feel the temptation to long for more. We feel that we do not have enough food, time, possessions, wealth, power, whatever. But what we find is that what may feel like a lonely venturing is accompanied by God. In fact the Spirit has gone before us, leading us into the wilderness. Often we see the wilderness as a place of struggle, but the Spirit never leaves us; instead it travels with us into the unknown. That’s not to negate how had that wilderness is in our lives; life-changing illnesses, deaths of loved ones, losing a job, etc are not fun events. And yet, they can become deeply spiritual encounters with the living God and an introduction to a divine purpose we may have never dreamed possible.

It is important to recognise too that this wilderness time does not have to be individual. Your family, this church may be led into the wilderness. All that time worshipping in the hall as you recently did could be seen in that light. But instead of mourning what wasn’t consider what God was preparing for. What became important to you? What did you long for? What did you realise you could do without?

I’m told Alpine Presbytery is the most innovative and alive in the country. I suspect much of its strength comes from those wilderness years after the earthquakes. Hard decisions had to be made. We realised some things were not that important and other things were. Stuff, including buildings, was just that – stuff. But people, and their welfare, were vital.

According to Matthew, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to face different kinds of temptation – personal well-being, power and glory, “playing God.” The temptations that Jesus faced are still powerful today. It is hard to define what is reasonable expectation for ourselves and what is “keeping up with the Jones” especially if those we live amongst are well-off. Settling for a Toyota in a community that all has Mercedes may seem suitably Christian until we live amongst those who do not have cars. Taking a job with a non-profit may seem very Christian until we live amongst those with none. And the battle is constant to work without recognition instead of claiming our just reward. And while we are unlikely to be able to literally ‘play God’ our quick solutions to others’ problems is a pretty good substitute.

Within this story in Matthew, the tempter puts a face on the presence of evil in the world by suggesting Jesus agrees to “ends” that overlook the “means” used to achieve them. The tempter’s offers to Jesus are for more power, possessions, and so on. And this connects with the “more” Adam and Eve wanted in the garden.

This tempter is the second figure that Matthew calls tempter, devil, or Satan. The Spirit is the first who “leads” Jesus into the wilderness. This confirms he does not go alone. Often this text is solely seen as a time of testing for Jesus. But it is also helpful to look at it through the lens of Jesus being with himself and with God. That God, not the tempter, directs the course of action. That God, not Satan, is the powerful one.

The third figure or figures mentioned are the angels at the story’s end. Their “waiting on” Jesus translates a Greek verb (diakoneo) that also means “to minister” or “serve at table.” The presence of these roles reminds us of the importance of simple things after wilderness times. Sleeping and eating, taking care of our physical and emotional needs after a time of crisis are as valuable as great decisions and activities. And their presence also urges us to value those who do this vital work.

Today is the first Sunday of Lent. Lent is a time of journeying – with Jesus towards Jerusalem and deep within ourselves – to test and strengthen our faith. An invitation to go into the wilderness led by the Spirit to be prepared for whatever is to come. We are invited on join of this journey Lent with a sense of adventure and curiosity as we respond by seeking new insights.

The notion of shedding the old in order to prepare for a new beginning may not seem alien at the start of the Lenten season, but the feeling of starting an adventure might be. Like any adventure it requires us to plan our routes and objectives. It demands we assess what is important to take with us of our travels and what can be left behind. Such an adventure forces us to consider the strengths and weaknesses of our traveling companions. And it also invites us to keep open minds and hearts to keep that sense of adventure alive and not be dismayed by the challenges.

So I urge you all, this day, to allow the Spirit to lead you into the wilderness over the next five weeks of Lent, and even further into the future.

Rev Stephanie Wells