Repentance and Renewal
Welcome to the season of Lent. Lent is a time in which we practice repentance in order to experience renewal. I was talking with my son the other day, and he told me a story about how in eighth grade he started to desire to be part of the popular crew. In the midst of that, he began to leave some of his longtime friends behind. What he quickly realized was that the popular crew wasn’t really the kind of friends he truly wanted. So he had to go back to his old friends and say, “Hey, I was silly. Let’s be friends again.” They responded, “Yeah, of course.” But for my son to make that change, it required repentance. It required him to acknowledge that what he was chasing wasn’t healthy for him and to turn toward something better, bringing renewal to his life.
The season of Lent gives us a chance to recognize that we have a problem with sin in the sense that we are often tempted to find life in things that actually bring death. We get things out of order. What we need is the practice of repentance, because repentance leads us toward renewal.
Today we look at Matthew 4, where Jesus is tempted by Satan in three different ways after fasting for forty days following His baptism. Satan says, “You’re starving—turn these stones into bread.” Then, “You’re special and unique—jump off the top of the temple and God will send angels.” Finally, “All the kingdoms of the world, all power and wealth, can be yours if you worship me.” Each time Jesus says no. He says no not because the things themselves are bad, but because they are out of order.
Jesus doesn’t turn stones into bread for Himself, but later He multiplies bread and fish for others. The difference is that when He multiplies it, it’s for others, not Himself. After the temptation, angels do come and serve Him. The issue wasn’t angels caring for Him; it was making it about Himself in that moment. And though He refuses the kingdoms offered by Satan, through His life, death, and resurrection, all kingdoms are ultimately turned over to Him.
The idols in our lives are often not bad in themselves; they are simply out of order. We try to put them in the place of God instead of finding our identity in who God is and who we are as God’s children. When we love God and love our neighbor, our lives find their proper order.
The three temptations Jesus overcomes are regular idols in our lives as Americans: comfort and safety, privilege and being special, and power and wealth. Comfort and safety can diminish our lives because healthy relationships require risk, discomfort, forgiveness, listening, and change. God’s calling often requires sacrifice and perseverance. If comfort is king, we won’t pursue the life that is truly life.
The temptation to be special and unique also pulls at us. We’re constantly marketed toward distinction and personal branding. But to be privileged and special often means separating ourselves. God calls us to love God and neighbor, to live as one body and family. The early church was reminded not to let the rich go first at communion because everyone belongs together. The antidote to the idol of privilege is gratitude. Gratitude reminds us that what we have is a gift from God, and it fuels generosity.
Finally, power and wealth are powerful temptations. When they become our gods, they corrupt individuals and societies. We see it in scandals, crooked politics, and systems that harm people. Power and wealth promise life but often fail to deliver. I remember when I was first married and received a commission check. I bought a new leather couch, thinking I had arrived. A few weeks later, I realized the old couch was more comfortable and my life hadn’t changed at all. It was a reminder that power and wealth often prove to be counterfeit gods.
The one who truly delivers is Christ. In His life, death, and resurrection, God brings renewal to the world. It begins when we are willing to repent of the idols in our lives and turn toward Him. I look forward to celebrating Lent together and ultimately celebrating the resurrection on Easter. Take care. See you soon.
