Lead me not into…

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Oscar Wilde, in his play Lady Windermere’s Fan, writes;

I can resist anything except temptation

(Oscar Wilde)

It is the season of Lent.  Some people use this season to give things up for a period of 40 days.  They do this as a symbolic act to remember the 40 days and nights that Jesus fasted in the wilderness. But, the gospels tell us, Jesus was not alone during his time of fasting, the tempter was there too;

The tempter came to him and said…..

(Matthew 4 vs. 3a)

The three temptations presented to Jesus were, turn stones into bread, throw yourself from the top of the temple, bow down to Satan.  One commentator describes these as hedonism, egoism, and materialism.  I like Henri Nouwen’s description of these as Relevance, Popularity and Power.

On the surface there appears nothing wrong with these temptations.  Jesus was hungry after the 40 days of fasting so, why not use what power you have to get food?  Jesus had a task to fulfil, why not perform one spectacular act and get the job done?  Jesus is king, why not take a quick route to claim all the kingdoms of the earth?

Of course, Jesus recognizes that the danger with each of these.  There is a barbed hook beneath the surface bait! Below the surface of these temptations is self-reliance, a desire to put my will above that of Gods’.  I don’t know about you but,

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa (through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault).

It seems to me that temptation, in life, is a daily battle we must all face.  So, why do we face temptation and is there any benefit from facing it and overcoming it?

Today, as part of my quiet time, I was reading a passage in Mark’s gospel and came across some words of Jesus I had not spotted before;

Everyone will be salted with fire

(Mark 9 vs. 49)

Salt, in Jesus day, was used as a preservative, for flavouring and as an antiseptic.  But, I wondered, what does “being salted with fire” mean?

Jesus had just been talking about temptation and being aware of those things that cause us to stumble.  He suggests plucking out our eyes or cutting off our hands.  Please note, these are not to be taken literally!!!!  He uses this exaggerated form of speech, to warn us of the potential seriousness of what can lay behind temptation. He then says;

Everyone will be salted with fire

(Mark 9 vs. 49)

As I dwelt with these words, I felt that God was saying to me;

Temptation can refine you, do not let it define you.

And I am taking that with me into the coming day.