Wednesday, December 4, 2002

The devil said to Jesus, "If you are God's Son, tell this stone to turn into Bread." Jesus answered, "No one can live only on food." Luke 4:3-4

According to the story, Jesus chose to go to the desert and fast; no one forced him to follow the Spirit out there. After all, when things got unpleasant, he could very well have just left and gone to be with his friends, gone back home to a good meal. But perhaps his own hunger wasn't the issue.

Several things might be expected if Jesus succumbed to this temptation: suppose Jesus used his power to turn stones to bread for himself, then phenomenon would center attention on his needs, on who he was, not the needs of others, not on God. Yet to focus on the needs of others say, work a miracle to feed the poor people of his country then there would be the danger of making them economically dependent. And, once people become dependent on someone or something, their freedom to remain independent and make choices becomes seriously compromised. How many times over the years have we witnessed aid to poor people, to poor countries be given with strings attached? Your health care will be paid but you will loose the freedom to choose who provides your care. America will deliver medicine in exchange for building a new airbase. Food will be delivered to people in need but Coca-Cola will start a new franchise in your country. Your leaders must report and comply with the expectations and requests America has of them.

Bread alone is not enough! Often though, we set aside the part that comes after bread the piece that leads us to the word of God. God who through Jesus exhorts us to not only look outward from ourselves but to do what we can to empower others to be free to make choices about their well-being, free to find God in their own way.

During this season, may we try to give assistance to someone to make their life better in the future and empower them in their search for God.

Claudia Stine


All contents copyright 2002 by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. Permission is granted to United Methodist congregations, individuals and groups to reproduce and distribute this devotional without charge. All other use requires the advance permission of the editor.