"Quilts, Comforters, and Such"

Psalm 32
Matthew 4:1-11

The temptation of Christ. In this classic story, Christ is tempted by all that we are seduced by daily. The need to fill ourselves, satisfy our hungers. The need to attain earthly power and the need to put ourselves on top, to be God of our lives. This is a story that plays itself out in different ways every single day of our lives. This story is important for us because it tests our abilities to understand what temptation is and how we are able to possibly overcome it.

Jesus gets through the temptation in 11 short verses, which seems to us like he had it pretty easy. But, of course, he was fasting for forty days and nights. Of course he was hungry, of course he wanted more control, of course he wanted to be in charge of his own life… and it could not have been in any way easy. Even though 11 verses can make it seem so.

I hear the struggle of Jesus in the unwritten, unspoken lines. Many of our psalms are songs of lament. They are a great resource for you to go to when you feel like you are lost in the hungry, lonely wilderness like Jesus. They are a great place to go to when you fail to resist the temptations and you fail to be obedient to God’s call.

Psalm 32 says Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

And

You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.

And

Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.

How is it we get through those tempting times? How is it we get through those places where we feel like, YES Satan, I think I will jump off a cliff for you?

We let God cover us. We let God comfort us. There is a love song in the musical “Rent” called “I’ll Cover You” and even though it is a fairly provocative song about a romantic relationship, it speaks to me of God’s affection for us. “Just slip me on, I’ll be your blanket.. wherever whatever, I’ll be your coat. And the constant refrain: ‘I’ll cover you’”

All during Lent, we will be talking about Heirlooms of Faith.  Today we specifically focus on those things which cover and comfort us.  Blankets, quilts, teddy bears, little things that we hold and feel comforted by.

God wants to be that for us. When we are standing on the edge of the world and tempted to fall over and out of it, God wants to be there, to cover us, to hold us and wrap us in God’s love. 

That’s the first important lesson on this dark journey called Lent.  God is always there to cover and hold you.

What things do you feel great comfort by seeing, holding, being near? What people?  Email me or comment below. And please bring your things that cover and comfort you to church this Sunday as a visual reminder of the all-encompassing blanket of God’s love.

Also, don't forget our Ash Wednesday service at 7pm this Wednesday evening (3/5).  A perfect way to start the Lenten journey. A place to clean the slate and recognize the human frailty and the ways we need God to hold us. I hope to see you there.