A Journey Toward Wholeness: Walking the Wilderness with Christ

Delivered by Rev. Dr. Paul Shew on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

英語のテキストの後に日本語訳があります。こちらはChatGPTによる機械翻訳であり、文法的な誤りが含まれている可能性があります。

Passages:

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 (NRSV)

First Fruits and Tithes

1 When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, 2 you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. 3 You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, “Today I declare to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us.” 4 When the priest takes the basket from your hand and sets it down before the altar of the Lord your God, 5 you shall make this response before the Lord your God: “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous. 6 When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, 7 we cried to the Lord, the God of our ancestors; the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power, and with signs and wonders; 9 and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me.” You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God. 11 Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the Lord your God has given to you and to your house.

Luke 4:1-13 (NRSV)

The Temptation of Jesus (Mt 4:1–11; Mk 1:12–13)

1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ”

5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And the devil said to him, “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. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered him, “It is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’ ”

9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you,’

11 and

‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

12 Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Sermon Text: (Machine-dictated, may not be 100% accurate)

Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be back worshiping with you this morning, and it’s a privilege to be here on the first Sunday of Lent.

Some of you joined the Ash Wednesday service, which marked the beginning of the Lenten season this past Wednesday. This is a good occasion for all of us to reflect on the meaning and purpose of Lent. My message today is very much a tag-team effort with Ruth. Thank you so much, Ruth! I couldn’t agree with you more.

The scripture passages today are from the Revised Common Lectionary. Many of you may be familiar with it, but for those who are not, it is a shared tradition followed by churches all over the world. It is a three-year calendar of scripture readings designed to provide centrally important scripture passages that align with the Christian calendar and seasons of the year. The passages today are all from the Revised Common Lectionary for the first Sunday of Lent.

Before I get into the message, I want to connect the dots on how these passages relate. We read together Psalm 91, then the reading from Luke 4, and finally, Deuteronomy 26.

Luke 4 recounts Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, revealing how he faced trials and providing a model for us on how to be faithful and resilient during our own periods of spiritual testing. In many ways, the 40 days of Lent are modeled after Jesus' 40 days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness.

Psalm 91 is significant because, during Jesus' temptation as recorded in Luke 4, Satan, the tempter, quotes from Psalm 91 out of context to tempt Jesus into using his powers. Jesus, of course, rebukes Satan, and this gives us an opportunity to see the real meaning of Psalm 91, which speaks profoundly of God's protection and reassurance. Even when life feels overwhelming and uncertain, when we experience fear, as Ruth mentioned earlier, God remains our steadfast provider, our refuge, and our fortress when we go through times of wilderness and temptation.

The passage from Deuteronomy 26 recounts the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. It underscores reliance on God's gracious provision and salvation. Importantly, it emphasizes gratitude and inclusive hospitality, reminding us that God's abundant blessings are meant to be shared generously, even with those who are outsiders or strangers among us. Lent calls us not only to deepen our relationship with God but also to build bridges of compassion and kindness with others.

Let’s now turn to the theme of the wilderness because Luke 4 and Jesus' temptation in the wilderness are central to this Lenten season. Lent invites us to journey inward into our own personal wilderness. What do you think of when you hear the word "wilderness"? For some, it conjures up images of deserts, dense forests, or vast expanses of solitude. For others, the wilderness is a frightening or dangerous place.

Personally, as someone who grew up as a Boy Scout, later became a Scoutmaster, and loves camping, I see the wilderness as a place of spiritual renewal and refreshment. However, I also recognize that the wilderness can be a dangerous and lonely place. In the context of Lent, the wilderness represents something profoundly spiritual. It is a time and a place where God meets us, shapes us, and calls us to renewal and wholeness.

We all experience seasons of wilderness in our lives—times when life’s stresses overwhelm us. It might be anxiety about health, tensions within family, demanding pressures at work, or deep concern about the state of the world. Some of us, even before Lent began, may have already felt like we were on a journey through the wilderness. The wilderness can feel like a lonely, even frightening, place.

However, it is precisely in these challenging times, when we are stripped of our familiar comforts, that we can encounter the presence of the living God. That is what Lent is about. It is a time when God invites us to embrace this journey intentionally—but not alone. Remember that, although Jesus was not with his disciples in the wilderness, he was never truly alone because he had God with him. Likewise, we are not alone because we have Christ at our side, who has already walked this path before us.

In the words of Psalm 91, let this be our prayer and our affirmation, anchoring our hearts in faith and trust:

"You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" (Psalm 91:1-2)

I want to encourage you to say this with me. Wherever you are, repeat after me:

"My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Let this verse be a foundation for our faith as we step into the wilderness of Lent.

As we walk through this Lenten wilderness, we remember that God’s promise of salvation is beautifully inclusive. In Deuteronomy 26, the Israelites were instructed not only to celebrate their blessings but also to include the aliens and foreigners living among them in their celebrations. This is an expression of God’s heart—to embrace the outsider, the marginalized, and those at the edges. Lent calls us to reflect on this inclusivity.

Romans 10:13, one of today’s scripture readings, reminds us:

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Our wilderness journey towards wholeness is never a solitary endeavor. It is a communal journey, one in which we are called to embrace and walk alongside others.

As we continue through Lent, leading up to Passion Week and Easter Sunday, let us remember that true renewal occurs not simply through self-improvement or temporary sacrifice, but through deepening our intimacy with God. Jesus entered the wilderness not just to confront temptation but to be profoundly alone with God. That is the key purpose of Lent—to quiet the noise, simplify our lives, and reconnect with God.

Lenten practices such as prayer, fasting, meditation, and scripture reading are not ends in themselves but vehicles to draw us closer to God. Perhaps you can fast from one meal a day, give up sweets, or even try fasting from technology for a day. These small sacrifices help cultivate a hunger and thirst within us that only God can satisfy.

Lent also calls us to reach beyond ourselves. In Deuteronomy 26, the Israelites were reminded to welcome and care for the stranger. Jesus modeled this inclusivity in his ministry. Therefore, part of reclaiming our wholeness in Lent involves stepping beyond ourselves and intentionally reaching out to others with compassion, generosity, and hospitality.

I encourage you to find ways to spend quiet moments in prayer and scripture, to fast in some form, and to practice intentional acts of generosity. Remember, we do not do this alone. We are journeying together, bound by mutual encouragement and support.

As we continue through Lent, may we hold onto the affirmation of Psalm 91:

"You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"

Let us go forth into the wilderness with courage and hope, confident in the faithful companionship of Christ, who walks with us every step of the way. Even in the wilderness, or perhaps especially in the wilderness, God works in our hearts and spirits to bring wholeness, healing, and hope.

Let us pray together:

Lord God, we thank you for your love and for this time of walking into the wilderness with Christ during Lent. Help us, Lord, as we each face our own wilderness, to rely on you. May you be our refuge and our strength. Help us, Lord, to be generous and hospitable, not only for our own wholeness and healing but for the sake of others as well. We thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

日本語の翻訳：

おはようございます！今朝、皆さんと一緒に礼拝できることを嬉しく思います。また、四旬節の最初の日曜日にここに立つことができるのは光栄です。

先週の水曜日、灰の水曜日の礼拝に参加された方もいるかもしれません。これは四旬節の始まりを示すものでした。四旬節の意味と目的について考えるのに良い機会です。今日の私のメッセージは、ルースと協力して準備しました。ルース、本当にありがとう！あなたの考えに心から賛同します。

今日の聖書の箇所は、改訂共通聖書日課（Revised Common Lectionary）から選ばれています。ご存じの方も多いかもしれませんが、これは世界中の教会で用いられている聖書朗読の伝統です。三年間の周期で聖書の重要な箇所が選ばれ、キリスト教の暦や季節に沿って読まれます。今日の聖書箇所は、四旬節の最初の日曜日のために選ばれたものです。

本題に入る前に、これらの聖書箇所がどのように関連しているかを説明します。私たちは詩篇91編、ルカによる福音書4章、そして申命記26章を読みました。

ルカ4章には、イエスが荒野で誘惑を受けた場面が記されています。これは、イエスが試練に直面しながらも信仰を貫いた様子を示しており、私たちが霊的な試練の時にどのように耐え、誠実であるべきかを教えてくれます。四旬節の40日間は、イエスが荒野で40日間断食し、誘惑に打ち勝ったことを基にしています。

詩篇91編は、ルカ4章のイエスの誘惑の場面で悪魔がイエスを誘惑する際に引用した詩篇です。しかし、悪魔はこの詩篇を文脈から切り離して誤用しました。イエスはこれを拒み、詩篇91編の本来の意味を示されました。それは、神の守りと慰めについての力強いメッセージです。私たちが人生の困難に直面し、不安や恐れを感じる時でも、神は変わることなく私たちの避け所であり、砦であり、支えであることを教えてくれます。

申命記26章では、イスラエルの民がエジプトから解放されたことが語られています。これは、神の恵みによる救いと備えに依存することの重要性を強調しています。また、感謝の心と、他者への寛大なもてなしの大切さを示しています。神の恵みは、私たちだけのものではなく、他の人々、特に周囲の外国人や困っている人々と分かち合うべきものなのです。四旬節は、神との関係を深めるだけでなく、思いやりと優しさを持って他者とつながることを求めています。

では、「荒野」というテーマについて考えてみましょう。四旬節の中心には、ルカ4章のイエスの荒野での誘惑があります。四旬節は、私たちが自分自身の「荒野」へと向かうよう招く期間です。「荒野」と聞いて何を思い浮かべるでしょうか？ある人にとっては、砂漠や深い森、広大な孤独な場所かもしれません。また、荒野は危険で恐ろしい場所と感じるかもしれません。

私はボーイスカウトとして育ち、後にスカウトマスターになり、キャンプが大好きでした。そのため、荒野は霊的な癒しとリフレッシュの場所だと感じます。しかし、同時に、荒野は危険で孤独な場所でもあることを理解しています。四旬節において、荒野は霊的に重要な意味を持っています。それは、神が私たちに出会い、形作り、新たにし、完全へと導く場所です。

私たちは人生の中で、荒野のような時期を経験します。健康への不安、家族の問題、仕事のプレッシャー、世界の状況に対する深い懸念など、さまざまなストレスに押しつぶされそうになることがあります。四旬節が始まる前から、すでに荒野の旅をしていると感じている人もいるかもしれません。荒野は、孤独で恐ろしい場所に思えるかもしれません。

しかし、まさにそのような厳しい時こそ、私たちは生ける神に出会うことができるのです。これこそが四旬節の目的です。私たちは、この旅を意識的に受け入れるよう招かれていますが、それは決して一人で行うものではありません。イエスは荒野にいた時、弟子たちと共にはいませんでしたが、神と共におられました。同じように、私たちも決して一人ではありません。イエスはすでにこの道を歩まれ、私たちと共におられるのです。

詩篇91編の言葉を、私たちの祈りと信仰の宣言として心に刻みましょう。

「いと高き方の隠れ家に住む者は、全能者の陰に宿る。 私は主に申し上げる、『私の避け所、私の砦、私の神よ、私はあなたに信頼します。』」(詩篇91:1-2)

私と一緒にこの言葉を唱えてください。

「私の避け所、私の砦、私の神よ、私はあなたに信頼します。」

この詩篇の言葉を土台とし、四旬節の荒野へと踏み出しましょう。

四旬節の旅を進む中で、私たちは神の救いの約束がどれほど包括的であるかを思い起こします。申命記26章では、イスラエルの民が祝福を祝い、寄留者や外国人とも分かち合うよう命じられました。これは、神の心が、外部の者や疎外された者を受け入れることにあることを示しています。四旬節は、この包括的な愛について省みる時です。

ローマ10:13には、次のように記されています。

「主の御名を呼び求める者は、だれでも救われる。」

私たちの荒野の旅は、決して孤独なものではありません。私たちは互いに支え合いながら歩む共同の旅なのです。

四旬節を進む中で、単なる自己改善や一時的な犠牲ではなく、神との親密さを深めることこそが真の新生につながることを覚えておきましょう。イエスは荒野に行き、誘惑と向き合うだけでなく、神と深く交わるための時間を持たれました。それこそが四旬節の本質なのです。

祈りましょう。

主なる神よ、私たちが四旬節の荒野を歩む中で、あなたに信頼できるよう導いてください。私たちの避け所となり、力となってください。私たちが寛大で、他者をもてなす者となるよう助けてください。イエス・キリストの御名によって祈ります。アーメン。