The Idiot and The Oddity (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

That's what we Junior High boys called them: The Idiot and The Oddity ... but never within earshot of our teacher. We thought we were hilarious, but we had enough sense to know that she was unlikely to think so.

Of course, in reality, these two stalwarts of literature are named The Iliad and The Odyssey. In Ninth Grade, we read significant portions of these two works as part of Bulfinch's Mythology. Humor aside, I actually enjoyed that portion of the year, and have retained a good bit of the story.

If you haven't read The Odyssey or seen one of the films made about it (or, perhaps, "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"), then let me sum it up: Odysseus (otherwise known as Ulysses) and some sailors went exploring and had a lot of interesting experiences. The end.

Seriously, though, one of those experiences involved some Sirens singing a song which, legend held, led sailors to their death. Before encountering these bewitching females, Odysseus had everyone's ears sealed with wax, while having himself, open-eared, lashed to the mast. In this way, Odysseus was subjected to the temptation (stimulus) of the Sirens' song, but, despite a great desire to do so, could not respond to it. He was seduced, but his constraints kept him from succumbing to the Sirens' Song. It was a clever work-around.

We, too, can find ourselves being tempted, and perhaps hoping something will hold us back. This week's Lectionary readings are about temptation (and the consequences when one gives in).

In the Genesis and Matthew selections, Eve and Jesus are subjected to temptations, but with decidedly different outcomes. Eve was tempted by appetite (forbidden fruit was "good for food"), attraction (forbidden fruit was "a delight to the eyes") and hidden knowledge (forbidden fruit was "desirable to make one wise"). Jesus was tempted by hunger (after 40 days of fasting), ego (prove you're God's son), and wealth (possession of the world's kingdoms).

The problem with temptation is not the temptation.

Temptations are going to come our way. In that sense, neither Eve nor Jesus differs from us. Different people are tempted by different things. I think the real problem is summed up in the Psalm: "Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you." (Psalm 32:9 NRSV)

We are expected to control ourselves, regardless of the temptation.

The Roman passage clearly describes the results of both Eve's temptations and Jesus' temptations. Eve's fall led to Adam's fall (not that he put up much of a fight). By resisting the temptations piled on him by Satan, Jesus paved the way for our redemption. Jesus, in effect, "reversed the curse" resulting from Eve's (and Adam's) sin. We can now be reconciled to God because Jesus resisted Satan's temptations.

In Hebrews, it states that Jesus was tempted in every way we are, and yet, He didn't sin. And that's what we should take away from this week's Lectionary readings. Whatever they are, these things that tempt you (people, foods, gossip, ego, revenge, inappropriate sex, wealth, power, etc.), Jesus not only understands, but has withstood them.

Whatever is tempting you, Jesus is the answer.

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
First Sunday of Lent (March 5, 2017)

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11

Table of readings for Lent
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/lections.php?year=A&season=Lent

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Join us Friday morning at Lectionary Breakfast. Food, fellowship, scripture, prayer, the occasional "Eureka!" and some of the best laughter you could find anywhere. Now, that is a good kind of temptation!

We start at 8:00 and begin the exodus around 9:00. We're in the back at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant. Ask, if you don't see us.

Blessings,
Steve