Reflection on Luke 4:1-13

Sunday, March 9, 2025

First Sunday of Lent

Deacon Nick Bates (he/him)

Director, Hunger Network of Ohio

Allied Christian

After Jesus encounters the Holy Spirit at the river Jordan, Jesus enters the wilderness. Alone and isolated, Jesus is consistently challenged and told to change, give up, and perform for the powers of the world. Jesus refused. Instead, Jesus knew who he was and focused on moving through the wilderness to the beloved community of friends and colleagues on the other side. Through Jesus’ journey, he carried the Spirit and love of God, and it sustained Jesus to resist the temptations for easy answers and worldly power.

Isolation is one of the biggest threats to our collective work for justice. The powers of the world seek to isolate us from God and from one another so that the world can continue to exploit, divide and harm people for the sake of profit and power. Our strength as a community during the HB 68 fight came from the community. Teachers, doctors, coaches, advocates, pastors, business leaders, healthcare professionals and so many more walked together to protect LGBTQIA+ youth in Ohio. Despite the Ohio General Assembly attempting to silence the voices of LGBTQIA+ youth and their families, we will only grow louder, because we refuse to be isolate and won’t surrender to their worldly authority. We have the love of God on our side. The power of the story of a beloved community even swayed Governor DeWine to veto the bill.

The world needs advocates to stand up against worldly powers that seek to divide and exploit us and our neighbors.

The work to be authentic to yourself and advocate can feel isolating, but Jesus walks with us and we walk with one another in this work.

The world seeks division, Jesus calls for unity. The world seeks conformity, Jesus celebrates our diversity. The world seeks power over others, Jesus leads by being a servant to all. The world seeks to leave us isolated; Jesus promises Emmanuel.

Reflection

When you feel isolated and alone, where do you find community?

How have you seen worldly powers tempt us into division against one another?