God of our Lenten Journey, strengthen and bless this dear reader as they walk along with You today; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Genesis 2:15-17 and 3:1-7: 15 God took the Man and set him down in the Garden of Eden to work the ground and keep it in order. 16 God commanded the Man, "You can eat from any tree in the garden, 17 except from the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil. Don't eat from it. The moment you eat from that tree, you're dead." 3:1 The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal God had made. He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?" 2 The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. 3 It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'" 4 The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. 5 God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil." 6 When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it - she'd know everything! - she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate. 7 Immediately the two of them did "see what's really going on" - saw themselves naked! They sewed fig leaves together as makeshift clothes for themselves. (The Message)
The comedian said, "How can you be tempted by an apple? Cover in caramel and then get back to me!" Was it fruit that tempted Eve and Adam? No. It was the invitation to try something that might make them as smart or smarter than God. What tempted them was their freedom to disobey, for that is what scholars call "original sin." What tempts you? Certainly not fruit, right? Our Lenten Journey as a spiritual one will be filled with temptations. Those who have given up chocolates will suddenly see more chocolates and those more gorgeous and tempting than before! Those who have given up sodas will find a thirst for one, and so on. Temptation is an invitation to disobey and stray. It takes many forms and ways and all it takes from us is a simple yes or okay, just this once. God's command to the man and woman was a simple, positive one: "You can eat from any tree in the garden;" the tempter turned it around and asked, "Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?" It does say that this serpent is more subtle or clever than any wild animal; it did turn things around in just the right way that it tempted the humans into rationalizing their actions.
As temptation comes your way remember why you've chosen not to do the things you know not to do. Sin, after all, is "missing the mark," or getting off-course. God wants us, especially as we prepare for Easter to stay on course and to hit the mark set before us.
PRAYER: Loving God, as I journey on this day, let me stay on-course with Your lead and guidance. As temptation presents itself let me find in You strength to resist and to stay strong. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
