On Easter Sunday morning some people will sing Charles Wesley’s ‘Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!’. It is a hymn and a statement of faith. The first line states what seems impossible. (Singing the Faith 298). Earlier hymn books contained a verse that says ‘who the strong man armed hath bound, now in highest heaven is crowned’. The image may not work for modern congregations but the sentiment is the same as the message of the opening line – what could not happen just has happened.
In the third of the temptations in the wilderness, Satan ‘took him (Jesus) to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”’ (Matthew 4:8-9). Later, in his teaching, Jesus was to say by way of illustration of a point, ‘how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man?’. (Matthew 112:29)
Here is a pivotal moment. Tempted with everything, Jesus turns his back on Satan telling him to go away and quotes ancient words from the original teaching of Moses, ‘Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name’. (Deuteronomy 6:13).
All this begs the question, ‘what is strength’. Seemingly a surprise burglar has an advantage. The temptation to be someone, a great person, a leader and influencer entices some people. All of us need to have a sense of purpose if we are to avoid the vulnerability of feeling that life is just happening.
As we prepare for Easter, but first, to contemplate the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, here is a simpler way of evaluating strength. Do we rely on inner strength to sustain us, or are we prepared to trust everything, especially the impossible, to God? If God is my strength and I am my weakness, then I am strong; if I am my strength and God is a sideshow, then Satan is snarling at my heels.
Happy Easter!
A Prayer
God of delivery of the impossible things, give me strength to trust you in everything and not to be tempted or diverted by the mirage of my abilities. Help me to know that in my moments of greatest achievement you are the greatest achiever, with me in all times and season. May I die with you, Lord Christ, to share your victory in resurrection. Alleluia. Amen.