March 13, 2011 (Gn. 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Mt. 4:1-11)
The company was in trouble. The media asked, “Did the company executives know and, if so, when?” In retrospect the actions of financial officers seemed to indicate that they did. Stock trading, partnerships and spin-offs, closed door conferences and personnel shuffling all indicated that the corporate higher-ups were trying everything in their power to keep the company from crashing on rocks that most of the employees never saw coming. Business decisions reflective of the personal decisions of individuals in upper management resulted in devastation that reached through all levels of the company and resulted in the loss of wages, financial security, jobs, and even lives.
Adam and Eve were walking in the garden when the serpent appeared. Eve listened to what the serpent had to say. She decided to taste the apple. It was a personal decision. She offered the fruit to Adam. He also chose to eat of the fruit. A personal decision but we are all still living out of its consequences.
“…Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert…” For forty days He fasted and prayed alone in the desert and Scripture tells us that He was hungry. He was probably also weak and confused from His long fast. And so the tempter came, hoping to catch Him by surprise. Jesus listened to what the devil had to say. Then He, like Eve, made a personal decision. “One does not live on bread alone…” “You shall not put …God…to the test.” “God…alone shall you serve.” And Matthew tells us that “…the devil left him and…angels came and ministered to him.” A personal decision. What might have happened, had He chosen otherwise?
Desert experiences come in all shapes and sizes. Loss of job or relationship leaves us confused; diminished income or health weakens us. The experience may find us alone or surrounded by crowds of people. But one thing is certain – it will find us, and how we choose to respond will affect not only our own lives but also the lives of people we may never even know. What decisions will we make in the desert?
Vinal Van Benthem, sfo
