“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert and tempted by the devil.” While the word devil conjures up monstrous images its original meaning is less horrific. Devil is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Satan which is defined as “adversary” and means someone or something that acts ‘against’ – against us, against others, against life. It is the nature of military dominion. In the desert story, whether that which is acting against Jesus is another being or Jesus’ own wearied mind after 40 days of fasting, he has to deal with an adversary. How Jesus deals with the adversary is instructive. It is especially instructive in these days of potential cooperation with a devil – an adversarial political ruler.
In the Gospel, it is the devil who initiates adversarial action against Jesus. The devil wants to dominate, to be in control. It is the nature of the diabolical character. Through personal and social manipulation devilish characters require the subordination of others to them, to their agenda. Thus, any partnership with the devil is never on one’s own terms; the devil will not allow it. In order to get the collusion they desire though, the devilish character arranges the terms in a partially attractive context. We then feign ignorance as to the full truthful context. Thus, the devil says to us, “command that these stones become loaves of bread” – so as to feed the hungry perhaps. Do we cooperate? Do we rationalize that those who are poor and hungry need the food and join forces with the devil heeding his suggestion? Thus, another devil says to us, “I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew” – who threatens the supremacy of white christians. Do we cooperate? Do we rationalize that white christians deserve the rank and the Reich and join forces with the devil to defend ourselves against the Jews too? Thus, another devil in his inaugural speech says to us “The Bible tells us, ‘how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity’” – separate from those who are not God’s people like immigrants and Muslims. Do we cooperate with this devil? And make no mistake about it; the current president is indeed a devil – he acts against. Do we rationalize that helping some of God’s people with their needs in areas of education or ecology or health care is still good to do? Do we join forces with this devil to try and make the system this devil is controlling at least work for some of us?
When Jesus has his dialogue with the devil, he rejects the devil’s terms – Jesus refuses to allow the devil to set the agenda; to dominate or be in control. Jesus is not to be manipulated or subordinated and teaches us not to be either. Jesus will not be colluding with the devil who acts ‘against’ because he’s already cooperating with people who act ‘for’. We can be cooperating with people who are already feeding the hungry, on collaborative terms. We can be cooperating with people who are already reaching out across differences to love their neighbor and their enemy. We can be cooperating with people who are already living without the need to demonize select people and are instead unifying all humanity. When we do these things we will not be joining forces with the devil, but dissolving the devil’s force. It is a great mission and it is our mission – to convert a devil so that he joins with us to do good.
Prayer: Spirit of Integrity, help us to know and live our power.
Question: How am I being tempted to cooperate with modern day devils and what am I doing to act for others instead?
March 05, 2017 Matthew 4:1-11 1st Sunday of Lent