Let's Eat
In the Bible stories leading up to Easter, we read about temptations that Jesus faced. On the surface, these temptations may seem to reveal the historic era of 30 BCE and not be applicable to our lives today. But maybe, they reveal a human nature we prefer to ignore.
We all have faced temptations. The easy ones to consider are those from childhood, i.e., the temptation to selfishness, or the high school/college temptations that led down roads we wished we’d never traveled, or the career temptations of, “what happens on the road, stays on the road.” But in our current days of life, do we still have temptations, have we outgrown these sources of torment?
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:2-4
It is obvious that this conversation in Matthew 4 is about more than physical hunger. For as we read Jesus’ response in verse 4, the question being asked becomes one much deeper than satisfying hunger. ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ The tempter knows that we ARE deeply hungry and then goes on to question WHO will feed us.
I've been hungry in my life. Not physically but oh, so mentally and circumstantially. I've cried out for understanding, for healing, for a change in circumstances. And as I think of those times now, and ponder this exchange between the tempter and Jesus, I recall these hard times and realize I may have been tempted to wonder if indeed, God would provide. Or maybe I was tempted to wonder if He even saw my situation. Was He with me?
I also recognize the temptation to resolve, or to cure my own needs/hunger. I've had times that I failed to wait on God to provide my bread and instead, rushed ahead to find it on my own. I tend to lean on my ability and force situations to resolve a problem when God has not answered in my timeframe. For me these times show my nature of doubt as I question whether God could or would provide for me and mine. It shows my tendency to ignore deep hunger and look for a quick fix. A fix that at best is a temporary band aid for what really ails me...the search for true food from God.
The fact is we all need food to stay alive, to grow and to flourish. So, what are we eating? Who or what do I rely on to feed my starving body, spirit, and mind?
What might I be falsely feeding on in hopes of alleviating my deep hunger?
•Do we eat material goods to quench our hunger for acceptance?
•Do we eat busy lives to fulfill our need for recognition?
•Do we eat social media to watch and compare ‘us’ with ‘them’?
•Do we eat news to complain and demand instead of serving, and giving and praying?
Let’s eat the true food of love, acceptance, forgiveness, possibility, presence, guidance, and find faith that the eyes of Love envelop us in the desert and in our tomorrow and will provide all that we need.
