Matthew 6:9-13
Introduction: This Lent we are looking at each part of the Lord’s Prayer. As a model for prayer and a summary of the entire Christian life – the Lord’s Prayer offers us a place to turn in an anxious and overwhelming time. The conclusion of this prayer may not be a ‘traditional’ Easter passage, but this Easter season is certainly not like any we have ever experienced before, either. What this provides us with is both practical – in that it gives us a way of thinking about and dealing with what is going on during this crisis (temptation) and tells us what we need to ask for (deliverance), and also hopeful – because if Easter really did happen, then we can have hope that God will answer this prayer and bring us through this extremely challenging situation.
1. Our Great Temptation
What is temptation? To fully understand this prayer and find its power, we must start with a clear definition of what temptation is. We tend to use the word temptation in the context of sensual temptations, but it is much broader than this: it is any circumstance, desire, occasion, or anything that draws/lures/entices us away from God & his will for us.
Note: It is important to remember that temptation is not in itself wrongdoing or sin – the Bible teaches that Jesus was tempted in every way but was without sin. Furthermore, God does not tempt anyone, nor is he ever the source of anyone’s temptation. See James 1:13-14: “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”
Having established this definition of temptation, let us acknowledge that this part of the Lord’s prayer is probably the most debated and difficult to understand: “lead us not into temptation”. Even though we know that God himself does not tempt us, why wouldn’t we pray that God simply remove all temptation?
Why do we face temptation? Earlier in James’ letter, he wrote: “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials (temptations), because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing (vv. 2-4).” God never tempts us; but he allows/uses temptations and trials to test us. This is one of the main ways he shows us more about ourselves, shows more about himself, and refines our faith. Proven faith is a sign of maturity, whereas untested belief/faith is soft, fragile, shallow, easily breakable. Thus, temptation can be something that draws us away from God, but it can also be something that drives us to God.
This is the reason why Jesus doesn’t tell us to pray that temptation be removed from our lives (which is not possible anyway in a world where there is still evil in us and outside of us) but that we would not enter into it when it comes. Many scholars point out that the key here is in the little preposition “into”: temptation is not something we can avoid but it is something we can enter into or not. In Matthew 26:41 Jesus tells us to “watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation”.
Why would this be a part of the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray regularly and repeatedly? The implied answer is clear - no matter what is happening in our lives, no matter who we are, young in faith or mature, there will always be some form of temptation to draw you away from God. When things are going well and life is comfortable and full of ease: we can be tempted to forget about God. On the other hand, when things are not going well, when we are afflicted and trials come, we are tempted to think God has forgotten about us.
For many of us, we have suddenly gone from a successful, productive, even comfortable life – tempted to forget about God – to the complete other side, tempted to believe that he has forgotten about us.
How can we not enter into temptations? Or when we do enter in, how can we get out? This is where we need to see how this whole prayer holds together and this is where Easter comes in.
2. God’s Greater Deliverance
God’s deliverance is always greater than our greatest temptations. What did Jesus tell us to pray to be delivered from? Evil. Although some translations read “deliver us from the evil one” – meaning Satan or the devil – I think the broadest definition is best and is meant here. We are asking God to deliver us from all the evil within in us that can draw us away from God, as well as all the external evil that can draw us away - including Satan, evil done to us, and all the results of evil in the world, such as suffering, disease, and death.
A Christian is someone who doesn’t just ask God for help. A Christian is someone who asks God for deliverance. We don’t just need help, we need deliverance. We need something, someone stronger than evil, to step in and rescue us. And Easter doesn’t offer us help. Easter announces deliverance. Jesus did not rise from the dead to offer us a helping hand – NO, Jesus rose from the dead to conquer evil and all its consequences. If the tomb is empty, then there is someone strong enough to deliver us from evil.
So how do we respond? Grab a hold of the rope that Jesus offers, and be pulled into resurrection life. If the Risen Jesus – who defeated sin, Satan, death – is pulling on the other side, no temptation or form of evil is a match for him, and he can bring us out it and through it bring us closer to Him, closer to resurrection life. With all that is happening in/around us now, don’t let it draw you away from God; rather, let it drive you to Him. We need to 1) acknowledge that we can’t control it and we can’t escape it; but 2) rather than despair over it, we can ask to be delivered, and God will answer us.
Remember, that in order to deliver us, for it to be possible that this prayer would be answered, Jesus had to choose not be delivered from death, suffering, and temptation. We will not always handle temptation well, but Jesus did. Jesus had to endure death, suffering and the temptation to take control and escape from that suffering, both in the wilderness and in the Garden. He experienced how strong the temptation is to not trust God in a world of evil and suffering BUT he never entered into it. This means two things: 1) He knows what it’s like! and 2) He can get you out! We will enter into the temptations of control, escape and even despair BUT Jesus can deliver us out. If we ask, Jesus will deliver us out.
REFLECT OR DISCUSS
What about the message most impacted you or left you with questions?
Why don’t we just ask for God to remove all temptation from our lives? What “good” does temptation serve?
“Temptation can be something that draws us away from God, but it can also be something that drives us to God.” Do you agree with this? How have you experienced this? Read 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. How does this passage give us caution and hope in our temptations?
In the message, 3 great temptations for this time of COVID-19 and lockdown were described 1) the temptation of control 2) the temptation of escape and 3) the temptation to despair. What about our current crisis would lead us into these temptations? Which of these is most drawing you away from God? How are you handling this temptation?
What is the difference between asking for help and asking for deliverance?
How does Easter enable us to pray for deliverance from evil and its consequences with confidence, trust and hope that God will answer us?
Read Hebrews 4:14-16. What difference does it make that Jesus was tempted in “every way as we are”? Apply this to your strongest temptations you are facing now.
PRAY
Before God (and others, if comfortable) name your greatest temptations during this time.
Pray for God to lead you away from and out of this temptation and closer to Him. Whatever this temptation offers you, remember it can only be found in God through Christ.
Prayerfully remember and thank Jesus for facing this temptation and overcoming it for you.
Rest in God’s promise to deliver you (see 2 Corinthians 1:8-10)