Fasting from Fear; Feasting on Faith

[audio http://www.opcbrookhaven.org/worship/audio/sermons/02-21-10.MP3]Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Luke 4:1-13

This week we begin a series of conversations around the idea of fasting and feasting. For Presbyterians, the liturgical calendar and conversations about Lent are somewhat new. And this is rooted in our history. John Calvin, the great Reformer, was not opposed to the idea of fasting. In fact, he considered it something quite honorable. What he objected to was the idea that the Church determine the times and dates for fasting. But guess what: when you give people the option between fasting and not fasting, what are they going to choose? Ergo, the rediscovery of the liturgical calendar and traditional practices in rhythm with the seasons.

You may have already thought through something you'd like to fast from for Lent. If not, or even if you have, I'd like to suggest that we agree on another approach this year. Let us fast from the practices in our life that tear down and feast on practices that build up. Let's put aside something we do that we know is destructive and take on something we know is productive.

Our two lessons this morning provide some of the traditional framework for Lent; the Deuteronomy text comes as Moses and the Israelites are in the midst of their forty years in the wilderness, and then Luke echoes those forty years with forty days of Jesus in the desert. It is there that the tradition of a forty-day season of Lent developed. In Luke's lesson, there are three temptations:

• Sustenance. Jesus is hungry; the devil suggests that he use his powers to make bread. But Jesus' response is that it is not just about survival; it is about life and life abundant.
• Power. Jesus is at his weakest physically. Jesus' knows that the focus is not how much power you have, but whom you serve; and he will serve God.
• Safety. Jesus is potentially in danger because of his fasting; the devil suggests he prove God's protection. But Jesus knows the difference between trusting God and testing God.

My suggestion is that, at the root of these temptations, is fear. And at the root of fear is limitation. We are all limited; and we hate that we are limited. It is when we are most vulnerable that these fears come alive. Again, I'd like to suggest that we look at the three temptations as three fears:

• Fear for our survival. Maybe not many of us have really faced such a fear with the economic downturn, but I'm sure some have.
• Fear of not having enough power. Even in a democratic society like ours, even when we are in a position of relative economic comfort and privilege like we are, we often don't feel like our voice is heard.
• Fear of danger. Think of our nightly news, with its teaser warnings like, "The tap water you're drinking might kill you. Details after these commercials."

When we are afraid, we are more likely to be tempted to make bad choices. Instinct can be good, especially at moments of fear; but let me suggest two counter-examples that prove my point about bad decision-making:

• When you're chased by a bear, what would instinct tell you to do? Run. What happens when you run? The bear chases you. How about going up a tree? Guess who's really good at climbing trees? The right decision, it turns out, is playing dead; so counter to what our fear would tell us is right.
• When your car goes into a skid, what does fear tell you to do? Turn against the skid. But the right decision is to turn into the skid, so you might regain traction and, therefore, control of the car.

Our instincts, when rooted in fear, aren't always as trustworthy as we might like to think.

So what is the opposite of fear? I'd like to suggest that it's not courage (courage might tell you to punch the bear in the nose). Instead, I think it's faith. And faith has very different things to tell us about these three temptations: Don't worry about survival. Consider the lilies of the field, the birds of the air. God's got our back. Do we take our sustenance for granted? Have we gotten used to a standard of living that moves into sinful territory? I remember the first time I fasted; it opened my eyes to how much I take food for granted, from the energy it gives me, to the snack bowls in my house that I would pass without a second thought. Don't worry about your survival. God is at work. Don't be anxious about power. It's not all it's cracked up to be. And if we really serve God, if we really follow Christ, then we'll remember the model of true power he puts before us in the form of trust in his weakness. Don't fret about security. Trust God's protection, yes, because God's got your back. But don't test the Spirit.

In this season of Lent, I'd like to suggest that we all work on becoming more aware of our fears. That we admit and acknowledge and confess them. And when they come, that we pray a simple prayer: "God, give me faith." And do so knowing that this faith we desire is alive; it serves; and it trusts in the power of God.

Amen.