What's on the test?

When I was in school, I had a classmate who was forever asking a simple yet amazingly irritating questing, “Will this be on the test?” We always knew it was coming and would sometimes try to short circuit or circumvent the question being asked by saying, “It will all be on the test!”  Nevertheless the classmate was compelled to ask that same nauseating question over and over again.

This week’s gospel is about testing (Matthew 4.1-11). Some will call it “temptation”. Let’s be clear about what temptation is and is not. The temptation itself is not a sin. What we do with the temptation could potentially be sin or not, depending on how we deal with it. So if we remember that and the fact that as baptized people we have the Spirit indwelling – we are going to be led to a test. The test is meant to let us know what it is we have inside and what we are willing to do with it. We need to know the quality of the person inside, keeping in mind that God is still at work in our lives as we are brought to the test. We don’t ask to avoid the test because we are going to all have to take it. But we do ask that God not let us succumb to the evil that might be present in it and so allow us to be overwhelmed and overcome. We ask for protection as we face and deal with each test. So what, as Christian people, will have us ready for the tests? Prayer in the exam room? Perhaps. I have always maintained that so long as there are tests and exams in school there will be prayer. But more importantly we need to study the one thing that will have us ready to deal with life as it comes: the Bible.

The Scriptures make us aware of the failure of Adam in the Garden, causing all of the disruption and disillusion of the relationship between people and God. Scriptures also make us aware of the path back to God through Christ because he maintained trust and his relationship with the Father. This is what qualifies Jesus to be our Saviour: at the right time, when we were powerless, Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5.8). All of his life Jesus was tested and tried. People were constantly poking and prodding him; inquiring about his abilities and what he could do and thereby confirm his identity. The lesson of the time in the wilderness was not about who was right and who was wrong (though the Israelites were wrong to forsake God as we all are) but about learning to trust again.

Jesus could have made it easy for everyone by doing the easy thing and supplying every need because he had the power to do it. Through such thinking and guidance, it reminds us that God can and does say no to us when we ask in prayer.  Jesus could have dominated the population and commanded the people to obey him. After all he had the power, the right, the bloodline and the followers to make war and bring back the old Davidic kingdom and rule as a earthly king does. Jesus still chooses to honour God, to give such things to him. Lastly Jesus could have impressed them and let the chips fall where they might and try to fake his into being Saviour but that is not his way. He has impact when he does and when he speaks. He doesn’t need to be impressive and be found a fake – he impacts people’s lives to make them better – to see people transformed that they too might work to see transformation.

So where does this leave us? Well first, how well are you living out your life and faith? Where is your focus and to what and to whom are you giving your time, talents, treasure, trees and tears? Are you focused on God and what God wants of you or are you choosing to turn and blind ear and a deaf eye to the whole affair? Know who you are. Know that you are a child of God and that he has given you the gifts you need to have and a place to use them. Do you know what you have been given and where you are to use them?

Second, most really strong Christians I know accept who and what they are and acknowledge that they are 100% dependent upon God for their daily bread. Know that you matter to God in this life and that God knows all our needs and our ignorance in asking. Know that God kept the nation of Israel fed and watered,  not just the people but also the flocks and herds as well in the desert of Sinai for 40 years – believe that he can and will do it for you.

Lastly, be prepared to wait upon God for our needs, to fill our hunger and quench our thirst. Look to God for what is needed that day. Learn to be satisfied with what is given. And remember most of all to give thanks to God for what you receive.

Then you find the mark and not have to worry about what is on the test.

Jason+