Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

Luke 4:1-13

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.  –Luke 4:1

I am cursed by indecisiveness.  I have the unenviable gift of being able to see all the various sides of most issues, and the merits of the variety of options possible when a decision needs to be made. It can be paralyzing.  I have been told that this gift is valuable for mediation, and I suppose it probably is.  Maybe. Over the years, I have learned how to be more decisive.  But, it is not a natural skill, and I don’t find it easy.  

The thing about making decisions is that rarely, if ever, are things crystal clear.  There is a lot of cloudiness in life.  It’s impossible to anticipate all the consequences of any choice.

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus is faced with three decisions put to him by the devil.  Three temptations.  The devil doesn’t make it easy for him.  No surprise there!  Who could fault him if he used his power to whip himself up some bread?  He was hungry after all!  We all agree that self-care is important, don’t we?  Who could blame him if he exercised his authority to rule? Wouldn’t he rule with justice and love, compassion and mercy?  Wouldn’t it have been easier for people to believe in him if he provided some clear demonstration that he was God’s son?  And yet, he rejects the devil’s temptations to use his power in selfish, self-serving and self-aggrandizing ways.  

Jesus, fresh from the waters of baptism, is filled with the Holy Spirit.  He has spent forty days in prayer.  In the face of the devil’s temptations, Jesus anchors himself in scripture and its witness to God’s will for God’s people.  Jesus makes his decisions based on these cornerstones of faith and faithfulness.  

The power of the Spirit, the centering of prayer and wisdom of scripture can guide us when we are faced with difficult decisions too. They can help us face the temptations that inevitably come our way.  And, for imperfect people like us, who sometimes (often) make the wrong decisions, they also remind us that our God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  I, for one, am grateful that we have a forgiving God. Trusting in that promise helps me dare to decide, even on those days when I am feeling indecisive.  

Peace,

Bishop Mike

Thanks for reading.  Today, I invite you to join me in praying this line from the Lord’s Prayer, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”