Feb 14, 2016 Sermon: "Into the Wilderness"

Stephen Baldwin

OT: Deuteronomy 26.1-11

NT: Luke 4.1-13

            If you were to go on a wilderness excursion for 40 days and 40 nights, what would you take?  What items would you put in your backpack?  Tent.  Layers of clothing.  Toothbrush.  Toilet paper.  Water bottle.  Cooking utensils.  Bug spray.  Sunscreen.  Knife.  Food? 

Luke says Jesus didn’t take any food.  That could’ve just meant he was observing a Jewish fast, which means he could eat after the sun goes down.  But I think food would be the first thing I’d pack…and lots of it.  So if Jesus didn’t take any food—or at least mot much, what else did he not take?  Layers, toothbrush, toilet paper, water bottle, utensils, sunscreen?  Doesn’t sound like it.  I don’t think he carried a pack at all, because he only took one thing with him.  Luke says he was full of the Holy Spirit.  The same Spirit that convinced him to go in the wilderness in the first place. 

            Lent began this week on Ash Wednesday.  Most Christians don’t have a clue what Lent is, much less know how to act during it.  It has become popular to give something like chocolate or social media up for Lent.  I’ve always thought that concept was a little silly, because how much lighter is your load going to be if you give up just one thing for 40 days? 

            Lent is supposed to hurt.  It’s supposed to be a time of sacrifice.  Jesus lived in the desert for 40 days without a pack.  He didn’t just give up one thing; he set down his whole life.  

             Does he want us to quit our jobs and go live in the woods?  I don’t think so.  But Lent is supposed to hurt a little.  He wants us to learn that we’ve come to rely too much on things that don’t matter and rely too little on the Holy Spirit that does matter. 

            So this Lent you may want to give something up.  Fine.  But make it something that matters.  Something that hurts a little.  Or instead you may want to do something positive for the world.   Great.  Make it something that matters. 

            Whatever you choose to do or not do this Lent, remember that you don’t need all those things on which you’ve come to rely so heavily.  They just weigh you down.  All we really need, we have…and it comes as a gift of God.  Amen.