In Ukraine today we see the devil’s work as civilians are crushed and killed, their country and property is stolen and all they hold dear is destroyed.
Jesus contrasted evil leadership with his vocation as the Good Shepherd who gives his life for the sheep. He said, “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I am come that they might have life and have it abundantly.”
Thousands are dead; over a million are refugees and huge numbers injured. The damage and misery Putin has caused will affect many lives for years to come.
When the devil tempted Jesus at the beginning of his ministry he was seeking to steal what rightfully belonged to Jesus, destroy his life giving ministry and ultimately kill him.
The devil tempted and bullied Jesus when he was physically weak and ill because he had been fasting for forty days in harsh conditions in the wilderness. Demonic pressure was continuous throughout that time as Jesus wrestled with his conscience and prayed.
Putin picked on Ukraine, a smaller, weaker country adjoined to Russia thinking they would easily be defeated. He is a bully! Bullies choose the easy way by attacking those who are weaker and poorer
Jesus had been filled with God’s Spirit and affirmed by his heavenly Father when he was baptized. He was God’s anointed Son with life giving power to fulfil his vocation.
He could have chosen the easy way of power, domination, riches and glory. Instead he chose the way of suffering and the cross.
Led by the Spirit into the wilderness, he was able to spend time alone with God with no distractions.
Jeshimmon, the place of Devastation, where the hills were like dust heaps, the rocks were bare and jagged and the limestone looked blistered and peeling was a terrible place, very hot by day and cold by night.
Deprived of carpentry work, and conversation with others, Jesus had nothing to do which might win the respect of others such as healing the sick or caring for his family. Jesus was alone with his heavenly Father.
Wrestling with the issues of the day in prayer and trying to find what God would have us do in making life better for others is not easy. Time alone without distractions gives us an opportunity to look beyond false spin and political manoeuvring to what is real.
We often expect prayer to make us feel better. Jesus began his fast full of the Holy Spirit. After 40 days he felt famished.
He didn’t fast to damage his health. Time with his Heavenly Father thinking and praying about his future was so important he didn’t think about his bodily needs.
When we are ill, tired and hungry we are most prone to temptation. That is why Putin constantly bombards the Ukrainians overnight and strategically surrounds cities to cut off supplies of food.
Poverty and hunger are reasons many are tempted into modern slavery, become prostitutes, thieves and do all sorts of work in which they are ashamed.
Anyone wanting to be successful in this world is encouraged to do what Jesus was tempted to do by Satan, take command and control others, adopt the quick fix that makes the most financial reward and advertise their assets.
Jesus was first of all tempted to doubt himself and his calling.
The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”
If you are in charge prove it. Take control, command! Show us what you can do! Use the resources of the world, the money in your company, the assets in your church and your personal financial assets to gain more power. Win popularity by bribing people.
The second part of the temptation was to turn the little limestone rocks into bread for the world and feed his own hunger.
There were a lot of hungry people in the world. Providing bread which hadn’t been worked for, to fill bellies with material wealth would increase Jesus’ popularity.
Many look for jobs that pay the most and give the most comfortable lifestyle rather than looking for work that serves others. Many attend churches that make them happiest, those that have the best music or social groups, rather than those where they are most needed.
There is nothing wrong with good food, comfort and happiness but we have a higher calling, to be changed into the likeness of God, to be people whose concern is to love others as Jesus loves us.
In an age when most churches are half empty on Sunday mornings and most supermarkets are full, we are called to bear witness to the words from Deuteronomy Jesus responded to the devil with, “One does not live by bread alone.” We are of more worth than what we buy and own. We need Christ in our lives.
Putin has been called a little tsar. He is fighting to own Ukraine and absorb it into Russia. His self esteem is built on his wealth and Empire, rather than the riches Christ gives. His soul; has become shrivelled instead of being expanded through his relationship with his Ukrainian neighbours.
Stones, the wilderness and all land belong to God who created it. It is not given to be fought over for selfish gain. Western civilisation has attempted to own and use land for profit resulting in wars, exploitation and climate change, destroying lives and the planet we rely on.
The devil showed Jesus the kingdoms of the world and said, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you will worship me, it will all be yours.”
Those who seek power, control, glory and authority usually gain it. They usually have the drive to use any means, corrupt or otherwise to get where they want to be.
Jesus knew that one day he would be King of the Kingdom, but was tempted to take a short cut by compromising with evil. If he compromised he wouldn’t have to suffer the shame and suffering of the cross. He wouldn’t have to submit to his Father and would be able to do what he wanted.
His response from Deuteronomy reminds us that we are not called to popularity and glory but to service. “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’”
This is not our world and our resources. It is God’s world and we are his servants. We cannot fulfil his will unless we worship him and submit to his will.
The devil took Jesus to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, (advertise your assets) for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and on their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
It was a sheer drop of 450 feet from the pinnacle of Solomon’s porch to the Kidron valley below. Jesus was suffering so much that it must have been tempting to take the easy way out, freedom from struggle, mental torture and pain
If the angels caught him it would sensationally, prove he was the Son of God. If they didn’t, then he would return to his Father in heaven, struggle over.
Taking the easy way rather fighting against evil must be tempting to the Ukrainians. The odds are against them, but they know that if they stop defending their principles, the stealing, killing and destructions will spread to other parts of Europe. They are willing to give their lives so that others will be free.
Like Jesus we are called to struggle against evil and serve, to put our relationship with God and his will before our own, to lift him up not ourselves and to recognize that we are his servants called to share in his ministry of bringing life, not death and destruction to the world.