First Sunday in Lent: Interpretation

I've decided to forgo today the usual Lenten Scriptures that I am supposed to read and just relate what Patrick sermonized about today. Today we read the story of when Jesus went out into the wilderness and was tempted by the Devil. This is the story that leads us into the Lenten season. I'm going to post the entirety here:  Mark 4: 1-11

^1-3 Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: "Since you are God's Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread."

 ⁴Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth."

 ^5-6For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, "Since you are God's Son, jump." The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: "He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won't so much as stub your toe on a stone."

 ⁷Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: "Don't you dare test the Lord your God."

 ^8-9For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth's kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, "They're yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they're yours."

 ¹⁰Jesus' refusal was curt: "Beat it, Satan!" He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness."

 ¹¹The Test was over. The Devil left. And in his place, angels! Angels came and took care of Jesus' needs. 

I love how the Devil uses scripture in order to try to skew God's word. And I love how Jesus spits right back at him with other scripture. 

I love how in the Bible itself, there are different interpretations of what scripture means. It makes sense why people are so wary of the Bible and how it is used against one another in hate. You can take so much out of the Bible and use it outcast people, to hurt, to destroy. What we often forget is that we need to continue reading, put those words into "context." And as Christians, we must always remember that we interpret the words of the Bible through Jesus' teachings. 

Recently I received an e-mail forward about what Christians believe and the one thing that struck me was that "we believe in antiquated morals that were established during the Iron Age." I don't think the person that wrote that statement has ever read the New Testament or for that matter ever heard the words of Martin Luther King Jr. I'm going to give an example with a very known verse

But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;  ~Matthew 5:39 First interpretation, be passive, let the evil doer take advantage of you. Now, think about the time when this was probably written. The right had was not to be used for anything but washing before prayers, it was your "sacred hand." So, if you are to hit somebody with your left hand on the right cheek, you are back handing them, making them inferior to you. By turning the other cheek so that you may hit with your left hand, the one being hit makes himself equal to you. It's not passive at all, it is what during the Civil Rights Movement was called "Passive Resistance." If not standing in your enemy's face allowing him to hit you as an equal isn't relevant, then I don't know what is. 

I suggest to people who come up with comments such as "believers in God as believing and practicing antiquated ways," do a bit more research.

Okay, so that was the sermon a few weeks ago. The point of all this is in order to understand scripture, we must read it. Even when we doubt the word of God, we can still turn to it and try to find the deeper meaning. So many people now call themselves spiritual, but not religious. What exactly is that supposed to mean really? I get it, I feel the spirit during moments when I'm not reading the Bible. In fact, I have never read the Bible cover to cover.  However, I do know that when I read scripture, I read entire chapters, not just certain verses to make me feel good or to help me prove a point. I go to the Bible when I'm questioning, when I'm in need of assurance. I am able to read the word of God, but I'm not completely stuck in it. 

Patrick preached today that in the Weslyan tradition, of which United Methodists are a part of, are encouraged to use their minds to illuminate the words of the Bible. He used the term "post-critical naivite" to suggest that it is okay to go to the Bible with doubts and questions, but keeping the mind open to what is said.  The words found in the Bible are supposed to bring healing, but unfortunately it has been used too often to cause harm. 

From what I understand after today's sermon is that the Bible is like a window. It is a window into the word of God. How each of us interprets it is our own doing, but as a Christian it is my duty to go to the Bible for assurance and healing, not to determine whether gays and lesbians loved or not by God. Or whether those of other religious traditions have a place in heaven. 

There is nothing that keeps us from God's love, that is the truth, that is the beauty that can be found in the New Testament, in the teachings of Jesus.