Resisting Empire: Embracing Love and Justice in Lent

Devotional

Day 1: Resisting the Temptations of Empire

The wilderness journey of Jesus, as recounted in Luke 4:1-13, is a profound call to resist the temptations of empire and political power. These temptations are not merely personal spiritual struggles but are deeply intertwined with the political and social structures of our world. Jesus was tempted with bread, power, and protection, which are interconnected lures enticing Him to become a new Caesar, a ruler who would provide much like the Roman Empire did. In our current context, these temptations manifest in the political ambitions and actions of contemporary leaders who seek to control resources, expand territories, and command global attention. The wilderness we face today is not just a spiritual retreat but a complex landscape of social justice and political challenges. [13:45]

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world." (1 John 2:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself tempted by the allure of power or control in your daily life? How can you actively resist these temptations and focus on God's kingdom instead?

Day 2: Bread, Power, and Protection

Bread, power, and protection are interconnected temptations that lure us into the false security of empire. Jesus' rejection of these temptations teaches us to rely on God's provision and to seek a community of love and justice. The temptations of empire are not just historical or allegorical; they are present realities that we must confront. Our current political and social landscape reflects these temptations, and we are called to stand against them. By rejecting the false promises of empire, we embrace a life of humble love, gratitude, and reliance on God. [17:24]

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a situation where you are tempted to seek security in material possessions or status. How can you shift your focus to trust in God's provision and seek His kingdom first?

Day 3: Confronting Present Realities

The temptations of empire are not just historical or allegorical; they are present realities that we must confront. Our current political and social landscape reflects these temptations, and we are called to stand against them. Jesus' rejection of these temptations teaches us that empires and Caesars are of Satan, and God's beloved community is to be something entirely different. It is a realm of humble love, gratitude, and reliance on God for provision. This Lent, we are called to reject the temptations of empire and embrace the community of love and justice that Jesus exemplified. [21:13]

"Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.'" (Jeremiah 17:5, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a current event or issue where you see the temptations of empire at play. How can you respond in a way that aligns with the values of God's kingdom?

Day 4: Lent as a Turning Point

Lent is a time to reject the temptations of empire and embrace the community of love and justice that Jesus exemplified. It is a turning point for everyone, calling us to love one another and treat each other as we would want to be treated. Our journey through Lent is not just about personal repentance but about standing against the satanic enticements of empire and choosing to follow the ways of Jesus. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's beloved community, which is marked by humility, love, and reliance on God. [29:41]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use this Lenten season as an opportunity to deepen your commitment to love and justice in your community? What specific actions can you take to support others in their journey?

Day 5: Following the Light of Jesus

The struggle between Jesus and Caesar is a reminder that empires and Caesars are of Satan, and God's beloved community is to be something completely different. We are called to follow the light and grace of Jesus, rejecting the false promises of empire. By embracing the community of love and justice that Jesus exemplified, we align ourselves with God's kingdom and reject the temptations of power and control. This journey requires us to rely on God's provision and to seek a life marked by humility and gratitude. [32:03]

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision or action where you chose to follow the ways of Jesus over the temptations of power or control. How did this choice impact your relationship with God and others?

Sermon Summary

On this first Sunday of Lent, we find ourselves reflecting on the wilderness journey of Jesus, as recounted in Luke 4:1-13. This passage is not just a personal spiritual invitation but a profound call to resist the imperial delusions and political empires that tempt us today. The temptations of bread, power, and protection presented to Jesus by Satan are not merely individual struggles but are deeply intertwined with the political and social structures of our world. These temptations are a single lure, enticing Jesus to become a new Caesar, a ruler who would provide bread, power, and protection, much like the Roman Empire did.

In our current context, these temptations manifest in the political ambitions and actions of contemporary leaders who seek to control resources, expand territories, and command global attention. The wilderness we face today is not just a spiritual retreat but a complex landscape of social justice and political challenges. The temptations of empire are not just historical or allegorical; they are present realities that we must confront.

Jesus' rejection of these temptations teaches us that empires and Caesars are of Satan, and God's beloved community is to be something entirely different. It is a realm of humble love, gratitude, and reliance on God for provision. This Lent, we are called to reject the temptations of empire and embrace the community of love and justice that Jesus exemplified. Our journey through Lent is not just about personal repentance but about standing against the satanic enticements of empire and choosing to follow the ways of Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. The wilderness journey of Jesus is a call to resist the temptations of empire and political power. It challenges us to see beyond personal spiritual struggles and recognize the broader social and political implications of these temptations. [13:45]
2. Bread, power, and protection are interconnected temptations that lure us into the false security of empire. Jesus' rejection of these temptations teaches us to rely on God's provision and to seek a community of love and justice. [17:24]
3. The temptations of empire are not just historical or allegorical; they are present realities that we must confront. Our current political and social landscape reflects these temptations, and we are called to stand against them. [21:13]
4. Lent is a time to reject the temptations of empire and embrace the community of love and justice that Jesus exemplified. It is a turning point for everyone, calling us to love one another and treat each other as we would want to be treated. [29:41]
5. The struggle between Jesus and Caesar is a reminder that empires and Caesars are of Satan, and God's beloved community is to be something completely different. We are called to follow the light and grace of Jesus, rejecting the false promises of empire. [32:03]
** [32:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:14] - Call to Worship
[07:30] - Gospel Reading: Luke 4:1-13
[13:45] - The Temptations of Empire
[17:24] - Bread, Power, and Protection
[21:13] - Present Realities of Temptation
[23:27] - Political Implications
[27:06] - Jesus' Rejection of Empire
[29:41] - Lent as a Turning Point
[32:03] - Following the Light of Jesus
[35:11] - Prayers and Concerns
[38:29] - The Lord's Prayer
[41:00] - Offering and Dedication
[44:00] - Closing Hymn and Benediction

Sermon Clips

On this first Sunday in Lent, we join Jesus in the wilderness, a place of wild and dangerous things, of testing and temptation away from the security of home. God, rescue us in the wilderness. Once again, we watch and listen as Satan throws out temptation upon temptation, and we find our security in Jesus who does not waver from the truth. [00:02:21] (28 seconds)

Once again, we face our own frailty and realize that the wilderness is not nearly as dangerous as our choices to prioritize selfish gain and hoarding of power. God, rescue us through the wilderness. Once again, we call upon God in the wildernesses of our lives, and we trust God's faithful reply. [00:02:50] (24 seconds)

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread. [00:11:13] (26 seconds)

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, To you I will give their glory and all this authority, for it has been given over to me, and I may give it to anyone I please. If you then will worship me, it will all be yours. [00:12:02] (23 seconds)

I would say that one of the temptations of this passage is to read it only as being limited to our personal spiritual invitation to enter into our own wilderness and wrestle with the sins that beset us. And that is part of it. But when we delve into this entire passage, it reveals at its heart that it is a call to resist imperial delusions and political empires. [00:14:07] (32 seconds)

Bread, power, and protection were not three separate entities in Jesus' world. They were all connected. They weren't theoretical inducements. This was a single temptation presented in three steps. Caesar was ruler of not just Rome, but the world at the time, the Napoleon of his time, and more. Rome had more territory than Napoleon ever got. [00:15:24] (36 seconds)

All of the kingdoms and realms of the Mediterranean were under Caesar's power, his sway, and all its inhabitants were required to worship Caesar. Caesar, he maintained control of this huge, diverse, extensive empire in a couple of different ways by providing bread and protection. [00:16:00] (28 seconds)

In the past, when I looked at this, my studies of the various words were directed to some sort of theoretical Caesar and some sort of non-literal sort of empire. I looked at it as an allegory, as maybe not quite a myth, but as a symbolic tale. Little did I imagine that the next time I came around to Luke's version of this, we'd be living in a world where actual Caesars stride across the planet in acting plans for their empires. [00:18:13] (36 seconds)

This story insists that we are not only misled by vague, spiritualized sins. Our wrongs are not merely personal. We, corporately and communally, are being forced to cooperate with desires and actions identified in Jesus' own temptation as some of the most destructive evils in human history. [00:29:47] (24 seconds)

Lent isn't about repenting only for our private sins and getting our individual souls in shape for heaven. It is about standing with Jesus over and against the satanic enticements of empire and to worship any Caesar who sets himself up as a god. This Lent, this Lent, it is a turning point for everyone. [00:30:38] (31 seconds)

Follow the one we know to be true. Follow the light and the grace and the love of Jesus. Amen. I mourned Sandy yesterday, so she knew what was coming. We have a prayer now, a prayer for transformation and new life. Let us pray together. [00:33:58] (37 seconds)

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