Learning to Listen to God: Tests. Trust. Discipleship.
Jesus was tested. The Spirit led him into the desert – without his boyscout 10 essentials, without anything really, for 40 days…which means, a very long time. So, of course, he was hungry. And yet… even though the devil seemed to think that Jesus had the power to turn the stones into bread, Jesus does not use his power for himself. This is true here at the beginning of his ministry and at the end when the man who was on the cross next to him says, “IF you are the Messiah, save yourself and us!” But while Jesus later feeds 5 thousand people out of nothing but a little boy’s lunch, he tells the devil that “one does not eat by bread alone.” Again, Jesus does not use his power for himself.
Jesus does not use his power to gain power and authority. It was what the people of Israel wanted: they were yearning for a King like David to overthrow the oppression of Caesar who was called the “son of god.” How much better to have the real Son of God as their ruler! The devil even offers to give it to him – but there is a cost: worship the devil. Jesus is firm in his denial, using words right out of the 10 commandments: worship the Lord God and serve only God.
Finally, the devil turns to scripture and, quoting Psalm 91, today’s Psalm, he double dog dares Jesus to jump from the pinnacle of heaven to prove who HE is. This last test has always intrigued me, because, the devil doesn’t misquote the scripture. Instead, what he does is use pieces of scripture for his own purposes. Which is worse! Of course, Jesus also knows Psalm 91– and knows who he is – and so he sends the devil packing “until an opportune time.”
But – even though Jesus needs no help in getting rid of the devil - I think it is worth taking another look at the Psalm and how it is used.
First of all, I love this Psalm – it is beautiful and comforting. Others apparently have thought so too. One Israeli scholar characterized Psalm 91 as an “amulet psalm.”1 What that means is that in ancient days, people would put sacred or inspiring words in a capsule and wear them as a necklace so that the words would be close to their heart. We do the same thing with jewelry, banners and plaques. I have the passage highlighted in my Bible. We, too, like to keep these passages close, to inspire us and as a reminder that God is our refuge.
At the same time, it is important to interpret the Psalm as Jesus does, not literally as doctrine, but rather as filled with images of God’s overarching love and care. The poetic language of this psalm is like art and liturgy, reminding us of God’s presence with us and love for us but not suggesting that we will never face challenges or harm. After all, God gives us that freedom to try new things – and make mistakes. And some of our mistakes are costly – for us and for others.
In addition, as I was reading about Psalm 91, I learned that it is, in some ways, a response to the psalm right before it. That psalm, Psalm 50 ends with the writer asking for help in a difficult time, a time in which they have made some mistakes and are paying the consequences of their actions. At the end of Psalm 90, the psalmist begs God saying, “Turn, O Lord, How long? Have compassion on your servants.”
Psalm 91 is the response to that plea. It is a song of God’s compassion and love for all of God’s people. And so, while God does not promise to literally keep you from every harm or hurt, God does promise to be with you in times of trouble as well as in times of joy.
We will be tempted and tested in this life. And sometimes we will make mistakes. But God is there to forgive us, renew us and teach us to walk in the way of God – in both big ways and small.
I ran across a story about a monk Brother Carlos and his two house mates, I’ll call them Brother John and Brother Tomas that shows us first that we can make choices and that the choices that we make, can impact ourselves – and our neighbors. Even if they are seemingly small choices.
Brother Carlos went into their kitchen to make coffee and discovered that there was only a little bit left. He was distraught. He counted on that cup of coffee to get him going in the morning –and they were a long way from a grocery store so he couldn’t go get more. He didn’t even drive anymore. What should he do? He wondered and he worried. He said to himself, “I’m old… I need this coffee… I deserve this coffee.” And so, quietly, he made the last of the coffee. He poured it into a mug and he smelled it. He couldn’t resist. He drank it up quickly – before the others would come. And then, he quickly washed his dish and left. He’d gotten away it! And yet… he hadn’t. Because all day long the coffee gurgled in his stomach. He felt terrible. He had taken it all for himself. At the end of the day, he confessed. Of course, he was forgiven. But he thought about it a lot – and about how weak his fortitude had been. Jesus made it 40 days without food. He couldn’t make it for a day without coffee? It was just a cup of coffee… and yet… he had selfishly thought of himself and his own needs – and no one else.
It was just a cup of coffee. But what if Brother Carlos had the opportunity for a “do-over.” That’s what we called it when my kids were little and there was some infraction made – usually a problem in which both of them were at fault. We would proclaim a “do-over” and then, armed with this bit of grace, they were able to make different choices.
So, what if we gave Brother Carlos a “do-over?” What if, instead of pouring the last of the coffee into his mug and hastily drinking it, he set out three cups and called Brothers John and Tomas into the kitchen to enjoy the last of the coffee with him together. They would only each get a 1/3 of a cup. But can you imagine the joy of sharing the last drop together? Perhaps, before even taking a sip, they would inhale the smell of the ground coffee and only then would they take drink and sip it slowly, savoring each sip and sharing in community together. It might have been the best coffee they had ever had.
Or, maybe, after Brothers John and Tomas came into the kitchen and saw the little bit of coffee that was available, and knowing how much Brother Carlos loved coffee, Brother John might have said, “Oh Brother Carlos thank you so much for making the coffee, but I really had a hankering for tea today. Would you mind if I made tea instead?? And, perhaps brother Tomas would have preferred tea on that day too. Then Carlos would have drunk the last of the coffee – not as a stolen treasure that became bitter as the day went on but rather as a gift and joy.
It is only a cup of coffee. Or is it?
Everyday, we make lots of choices. The question is: will you trust God enough to choose the Christ-like way, serving God and the neighbor? Or will you follow culture and serve yourself? Brothers and sisters, friends in Christ, let us lean into discipleship this Lent as we learn, every day, to listen to God and to follow in God’s way. And, let us praise God together, trusting that God will be our refuge and shelter us in the shadows of God’s wings. Amen.
March 9, 2025 + Faith-Lilac Way Lutheran Church + Pastor Pam Stalheim Lane
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2 Adapted from Jim Summers A Sermon for Every Sunday, Good Faith Media.