Tempted to Settle

Date: March 13, 2011
Scripture Lesson: Matthew 4:1-11
Sermon: Tempted to Settle
Pastor: Rev. Kim P. Wells

Experts tell us that the number of people in the world suffering from hunger is diminishing. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that the number of hungry people decreased from 1023 million in 2009 to 925 million in 2010. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunger, 3/13/11] Even with this decline, which is of course to be applauded, especially considering the economic situation worldwide, an estimated 16,000 children die daily from hunger-related causes. In the US, one in four children experiences food scarcity. 16.7 million children in the US suffer from hunger. [Bread for the World, http://www.bread.org/hunger/us/, 3/13/11] While we may not see the images of naked children with bloated bellies on the news each day, there are people who are dying of hunger, and people who go hungry every day, not just in Africa, but in most countries of the world, including ours.

Experts also tell us that the earth is capable of feeding the current population. The Food and Agriculture Organization projects that the world is currently producing enough food to feed 6 billion people and could double that output to feed 12 billion. The land is capable of supporting the needs of the human community for food. But there are untold decisions that would have to be made for this to happen. A concerted international effort would be required. Decision making at all levels of society and government would be involved. Which takes us into the realm of politics and government.

This is another area of human social life in which we are evidently also wanting. One indication are the numerous movements seeking change in government spontaneously emerging around the globe. We see other indicators of the problems of government in this country. While we may or may not agree with the objectives of the so called Tea Party, it has emerged out of a sentiment of dissatisfaction with the government. A desire for change characterized the mid term elections in the fall. And now people don’t like the change they implemented. So when we look at the world around us, from our communities to the world scene, there is a relatively high level of conflict and contention around government.

We also see an alarming level of conflict and contention around religion. We saw evidence of this in this past week’s report about the investigations of the House Homeland Security Committee into the domestic radicalization of U.S. Muslims. Interesting since Western society has a history of political activity being couched in religious garb specifically to avoid this kind of scrutiny. We should understand religion being used as a veneer for a political agenda. And yet here is an investigation that appears as an attack on religion to many.

While I understand from those of my parents’ generation that there was religious conflict between Catholics, Protestants, and Jews in times past, the relative tolerance that was developing has eroded with the rise of conservatism in this country. As a child of the 60’s and 70’s, if you had told me that we would be experiencing this level of religious conflict in this country in the 2000s, it would have seemed inconceivable. And it is not only in the US. On a visit to Scotland this past summer, we visited two major museums which had displays specifically aimed at diminishing, in fact, eliminating, religious intolerance and bigotry. At least they are tackling the problem in a forthright manner. But religious conflict is not unique to any one country or culture. And it appears to be growing.

So, this morning, we heard the familiar story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. It is read each year on the first Sunday of Lent. Like Moses, Elijah, and Noah, prime figures in his faith tradition before him, the story tells us that Jesus is led to the wilderness, a wild place, away from human influences and institutions. And here, by himself, he undergoes a time of spiritual testing. The aim is to strengthen his commitment to God, and his reliance on God, and his loyalty to God. Jesus’ testing comes in the form of the devil offering him food, political power, and religious power. He resists these temptations by staying focused on God’s realm and God’s hopes and dreams. Jesus stays rooted in God’s reality and does not let himself be swayed by the context of the moment from broader visions and values.

As we have noted, we, too, face challenges and temptations around food, world hunger, government and political power, and religious power and authority. The same temptations that we hear about in the story of Jesus in the wilderness. We face the temptation to abuse our abilities. We face the temptation to misuse our authority. And we easily and readily deceive ourselves that this is being done for good intent. The very carrots dangled at Jesus in the temptation story.

While the temptations are related to physical needs, political power, and religious authority, the overarching issue is vision. Perhaps we see only the immediate circumstance and won’t look at the long term consequences. Maybe we will let ourselves see only one small facet of an issue, instead of looking at multiple dimensions and perspectives. Maybe we let ourselves be swayed by immediacy without seeing past and future ramifications. We settle for some little good we can do, while remaining blind to the greater good that could be accomplished. We accept small, limited dreams. We accept disempowerment and apathy. We are reticent to embrace a more all encompassing universal view, a Godly perspective. Instead, we are swayed by our tribal and sectarian views. And we let ourselves believe this limited reality and think we have limited ability to effect wider reality.

While I have watched the saga of high speed rail unfold here in Florida, I have asked myself, if there are enough people who want it, why don’t they rise up? Get 1000 people to head onto I 4 and at the appointed time, all stop and park their cars. Have a widespread public, non violent action that bears witness to our values and passion. Do something. Not just accept a limited vision.

In the church, I went to a meeting this past week with representatives from area UCC churches. One of the topics of discussion was the marketing campaign for the UCC that is planned in conjunction with the national meeting of the UCC, the General Synod, which will take place in Tampa the first week of July. Each church has been asked for $1000 to help pay for the ads. The last General Synod was in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There was no information available about what these ads accomplished in in Grand Rapids. Did area churches get any visitors due to the ads and these thousands of dollars being spent? One person who served in Grand Rapids said his church got no response to the ads. Hmmm. Then there is the issue of July 4th week. That’s when the meeting and the ads will take place. How many people are going to be paying attention to church ads the week of July 4th? People are focussed on family reunions, picnics, the beach, boating, etc. So, I suggested at the meeting that we have an action at the Synod. Some kind of public demonstration about something that we care about as a church. Like all wear red t-shirts and join hands and circle the convention center in Tampa, or something to represent something we care about. Some kind of peaceful, non violent witness. Let the news cover it. And there’s your publicity. But there is no interest in this. They don’t want to offend people. They are assuming a limited vision of a market driven America and the church adopting consumerist marketing models for its ministry, which is offensive to me.

You see, the temptation is always to get caught up in what seems to be going on around us and accepting that limited view. This season of Lent at Lakewood, we are focusing on the theme Grace ABOUNDS! This is an invitation to expand our horizons. To see that there is so much more going on around us and within us than our usual limited scope of vision shows us. Each and every day, we are benefitting from blessings that we did not create or achieve or construct. Each day we are recipients of experiences and gifts that we had no hand in designing. With our eyes opened wider to grace, we can appreciate the incredible riches provided for us. We don’t have to function from the artificially constructed mode of scarcity that stymies generosity and compassion and love. We can function from a much larger
reality.

In addition, this Lenten celebration of Grace ABOUNDS! is intended to help us to see with more clarity the riches and blessings within us. We are created with an incredible capacity for love and good. Divine power is at our core. As we explore and experience this grace within us, we can free ourselves from the the attitudes and assumptions that constrain us and limit us and hold us back.

This increase awareness of grace is intended to influence all of our attitudes and thinking. Including our approach to issues such as world hunger, politics and government, as well as religion. Our expanding experience of grace is intended to help us see things from a larger perspective, from a longer view, from a global, creation context, instead of a limited, self centered perspective. The presence and power of God is greater than the contemporary issues, politics, or religious challenges we face. Grace ABOUNDS! is an invitation to experience ourselves as part of a much larger reality. A cosmic, sacred reality that benefits and blesses us continuously.

These Lenten days take place in the season of spring. In a temperate climate, the appearance is that things are dead. But really, they are dormant and preparing to erupt in new life. In the church, these Lenten days are more
subdued, introspective, and reflective. A time of dormancy leading to germination, and the celebration of prolific life at Easter, a festival of new beginnings.

When Jesus came out of the wilderness he began to preach saying, “Repent for the realm of God is here.” This Lenten season at Lakewood, you are invited to be part of the many opportunities to see that Grace ABOUNDS! Individually and collectively may we expand our vision to see God’s hopes and dreams for us. As we experience grace abounding may our eyes be open to God’s realm in our midst with all of its amazing power and potential. Amen.

A reasonable effort has been made to appropriately cite materials referenced in this sermon. For additional information, please contact Lakewood United Church of Christ.