Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in 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.”  [Luke’s Gospel 4.1-3]

A few short breaths after his baptism by John and anointing by the Holy Spirit, that same Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness, where he was tempted and famished for six weeks.

Having been announced to the crowd by a heavenly voice as God’s Son, Jesus spends all this time with a wheedling voice whispering cynicism and doubt in his ear. Murmurings about food, bargains about power and the bastardisation of Scripture are in the playbook.

Are you the real thing, Jesus?

The seeds of misgiving and self-doubt are hidden in every phrase; step after misstep, they have taken root in the lives of leaders and servants, of women and men, monarchs and faith communities.

The twisting of call and faithful intent into self-aggrandisement and corruption are stories we have known only too well.

If you are who you say you are. If you are the Son of God …

Jesus has barely been introduced to us; we have seen nothing but the wonder of his birth and baptism. Suddenly we are confronted with this, watching Jesus subjected to the devil’s insinuations.

Are we, perhaps, the ones who need the miraculous signs? Would it help us to know that Jesus actually appears to fulfil his contract? Would it assist us if, at the call of the ringmaster, the Son of God performs his tricks?

The desire for bread and circuses is not solely the province of the Roman Colosseum, but one of the discomforting marks of the crowd in every age. If Jesus would just show us a sign!

At the very crux of Luke’s account is neither a performer, nor a healer, nor a miracle worker, but one who journeys to the cross, suffers and dies. And is raised. The purpose of the Spirit’s anointing is to bring good news, to offer release and vision and liberty to those who need them most desperately.

Jesus is the one for others, not for himself. His authority exists for the restoration of life, not performance art.

Whenever the Church – our community, any congregation – becomes self-absorbed, whether in pride, in cynicism, or fear, we remove our attention from the God who saves and give our worship to the one who cripples and destroys.

Jesus knows where life is found, and leads us there, in word and action;

Jesus answered him, “It is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’ ”

May this season’s journey to the cross and the life beyond bless you and keep you.

A Collect for Lent Sunday | Janet Morley
Spirit of integrity,
you drive us into the desert
to search out the truth of us.
Give us clarity to know what is right,
and courage to reject what is strategic;
that we may abandon the false innocence
of failing to choose at all,
but may follow the purposes of Jesus Christ. Amen