The First Sunday of Lent and ashes among red packets

This Sunday is the first Sunday in Lent. On this Sunday, the lectionary invites us to ponder Matthew 4:1-11. The English Standard Version supplies the heading “The Temptation of Jesus.”

Large numbers of non-Christians know about the Christian festivals of Christmas and Easter – because of displays in homes and shops of pine trees, snow, reindeer, Santa Claus, and presents. And easter eggs.

Some non-Christians know about the season of Lent. It seems incredible, but many Christians don’t know about Lent, let alone the fact that it begins on a Wednesday, called Ash Wednesday. Or that every year, on the first Sunday in Lent, we recall the temptation of Jesus.

The temptation story is even more incredible. Jesus, the Son of God, Jesus, the second person of the Godhead, is tempted by the devil.[1] Jesus is taken to the field of battle, a wilderness, filled with wild animals, filled with danger. Taken by the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.

The mystery of the temptation isn’t limited to where it happened and who brought Jesus to where it happened. The mystery continues.

Jesus was abandoned by God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit. Was alone. Had no food or drink for 40 days. Was weak. Incredibly weak.

Then, the devil showed up.

These days, who believes there’s a devil? The answer is, “huge numbers of people.” Muslims believe there’s a devil.[2] Most Christians believe there’s a devil. I suspect many Hindus believe there’s a devil.[3]

Since no one else was present with Jesus, the accounts of the temptation[4] must be based on what Jesus himself told others.

Jesus spoke about the devil as a person.

Why does Jesus’ public ministry begin with a confrontation with the devil?

I think Jesus’ public ministry begins with a confrontation with the devil in order to make it clear that Jesus is more than a personal or local hero. Jesus is a cosmic warrior, battling the devil’s activity in the world.

The last of the three temptations makes it clear what the devil wants. He wants worship. In the words Jesus reported to his disciples, the devil explicitly says what he wants:

“Fall down and worship me.” (Verse 9)

And Jesus tells us the answer he gave to the devil; the answer which caused the devil to leave; the answer which marked the end of the confrontation. Jesus recited words spoken centuries earlier by God:

“You shall worship the Lord your God
    and him only shall you serve.” (Verse 10)

Jesus had come to take back what the devil had hijacked. The devil didn’t give up. He retained his strategy, which was to use wealth and power to entice people to worship him.

But the devil changed his focus. He recruited others – others who got Jesus nailed to a cross. He enticed the leaders of the day with the same thing he tried to entice Jesus with: abundance, prosperity. He offered:

“all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.” (Verse 8)

This year, in West Malaysia, where the majority of Christians celebrate the Chinese New Year,[5] Ash Wednesday falls on the second day of the New Year. Many Chinese Christians have returned to non-Christian homes or have non-Christian relatives staying with them in their homes.

Most of the homes are filled with ang pow,[6] red packets with gifts of money; and oranges, which signify wealth. Talk of death is forbidden.

Yet, just as Lent is about focusing our thoughts on the things which draw us away from worshipping God, Ash Wednesday is about focusing our thoughts on death.

On Ash Wednesday, many churches hold special services at which the leader uses ash to draw a cross on the forehead of every believer who attends, and pronounces the words “ashes to ashes, dust to dust.”

How many Chinese will attend an Ash Wednesday service this year?

Will they quietly thank God that the services are in the evening, just as in previous years, although it’s a public holiday?

If they return to homes where their non-Christian relatives may also be present, will they rub off the sign of the cross before entering the home?

Or will they retain the sign of the cross and pray for conversations about being on hijacked planes directed by the devil, heading for a deathly destination? And that through a mystery we’ll never fully understand, a crucifixion 2,000 years ago opened up a journey to goodness for all mankind?

Peace be with you.

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[1] Also often called Satan.

[2] During the annual Qu’ran reading competition – which is a public holiday in Malaysia – we hear this text: Sura 16:98.”So when you recite the Qur’an, [first] seek refuge in Allah from the devil, the expelled [from His mercy].”

[3] It’s always tricky to speak about “Hinduism” because it’s so varied. I express uncertainty because I know of cases where people have successfully obtained the help of priests in “Hindu” temples to “cast out” demons from people, and I’ve also read studies of Gandhi’s use of the words “devil” and “the devil” which have concluded that he used the terms not to refer to a supernatural being, but to persons who committed harm.  

[4] The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, contain accounts of the temptation of Jesus.

[5] Also known as the Lunar New Year.

[6] Also known as hong bao.