The times in which the gospel was written were bleak times indeed for faithful people. Once again the sons and daughters of Abraham find themselves prisoners in their own territory. The Romans rule the promised land – and that is not how the promise was understood. The faithful are disillusioned. Religious leaders have made dangerous alliances with the politically powerful – imagining that such partnerships might bring safety and security. But while it can be helpful for religious conviction to inform political actions, it is more often the case that religion is hijacked for political advantage.
The temptation story ‘details’ – the details that Mark leaves out – allow that Satan has offered Jesus power ‘for a price’. This is a problem that knows no boundaries. ‘Religious’ battles in the political arena have little to do with faith or devotion, and everything to do with manipulating (or creating) a power base. What makes Scripture so powerful is its uncanny relevance. There is nothing new under the sun. Same old human problems; brand new cultural settings.
So details are irrelevant. Across the centuries, the gospel offers us insight into the truth that hides among the noisy details: It’s time. God’s promises have not diminished. Turn from distraction and encounter Truth.
We need to hear this more than ever. The details of our lives are threatening to drown out the truth of God’s eternal, loving pursuit of us. Founded on promises as old as time, God’s kingdom is not just another power structure waiting to claim and contain us; God’s kingdom represents our true purpose – our best selves – the sum of all hope – the greatest love. These are the things that we easily forget when the world threatens us, or when our tendency toward violence erupts in such horrible detail as it did in a Florida High School this week.
The details of this most recent tragedy threaten to mask the truth of it. We have heard more about mental health and political contributions that sustain unconscionable attitudes towards firearms than we have heard about our inclination to normalize violence. The real problems gets buried in horrifying (but ultimately meaningless) detail; our hope is encountered when Jesus’ speaks: ‘Enough is enough. God’s peace is waiting for you. Set aside this obsession and set your sights on God’s hope.’
We have entered a holy season with another grisly reminder of our need for the Holy. Wednesday’s news from south Florida has brought reaction from the faithful and the faithless – calls for change and promises of prayer – details that threaten to keep the truth at bay. Whether this was an act of selfish misery, or an intentional act of terror, the truth remains: we are too often unable (or unwilling) to recognize the nearness of God, the grace of God, the timeless determination of God that seeks to comfort us, and give purpose to our lives. The God-likeness that we share (Genesis ch. 1: 26-27) lost in the avalanche of information that we encounter. We see everything but the truth, because our vision is clouded by fear, ignorance, and a desire for power. And gently, urgently, patiently, Jesus calls us back: ‘Enough is enough; It’s time; The time is fulfilled. God’s peace is waiting for you; ; God’s promises have not diminished; the kingdom of God has come near. Set aside this obsession and set your sights on God’s hope; Turn from distraction and encounter Truth; repent, and believe in the good news.’