GRACE AT THE CENTER
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Luke 4:1-14
Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. There he was tempted for forty days by the devil…
… Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee
Luke 4:1-2a, 14a
Psychologists generally agree that most human behavior is driven by three core wants or desires: security, approval, and control (1). To some degree each of these are natural and healthy. Security stems from our survival instinct which keeps us safe. Our desire for approval or affection draws us into relationship with one another. Even our desire for control helps us maintain a sense of order in our lives. When our emotional health becomes consumed by these desires, however, they can cause great harm to ourselves and to others. In their proper balance, they help us function in life, but in excess, they can trigger our fight or flight responses and drive us to unhealthy behaviors.
Each of these three desires are triggered through Jesus’ wilderness temptations (2).
The devil said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, command this stone to become a loaf of bread” (Luke 4:3).
Here Satan is triggering Jesus’ human desire for security. After 40 days of fasting, our survival instincts would naturally drive us to eat and sustain our bodies, but Jesus knew it was far more important to nourish his soul in this moment. There is nothing wrong with eating, but those with eating disorders or those who struggle with weight and physical health issues know all too well how easily food can take on an unhealthy role in our lives.
The devil said, “I will give you this whole domain and the glory of all these kingdoms. It’s been entrusted to me and I can give it to anyone I want. Therefore, if you will worship me, it will all be yours” (Luke 4:6-7).
The core of this second temptation is worship or glory. Satan is offering Jesus instant recognition and fame. Consider how much good he could accomplish if the whole world knew who he was rather than just the handful of disciples he was preparing to call into service. Fame and glory always comes at much too high a cost.
“Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down from here; for it’s written: He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone” (Luke 4:9b-11).
Finally, Satan triggers Jesus human instinct for control. Who doesn’t want to be in control. And before we say Jesus wouldn’t have been tempted by such worldly power, remember his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Of course Jesus wanted to be in control. He was willing to go to the cross but that didn’t mean he wanted to. If Jesus could exercise control over the heavenly armies, no harm could ever come to him. But once again, he does not take the bait.
How do we respond when our desires for security, approval and control are triggered?
Are we even aware when these desires become the driving force behind our actions?
As this year comes to a close, let us examine our hearts and prepare to respond as Jesus did. Rather than allowing our desire for security, approval and control to define us and drive our behaviors, let us simply learn to quiet our restless hearts and find grace at the center.
(1) More on these three core desires can be found at http://sourcesofinsight.com/three-core-wants-approval-control-security/
(2) Connections between Jesus’ temptations and our core desires come from a presentation by Nicole Greer, https://www.vibrantcoaching.com/