“Wilderness Gratitude”

(Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Luke 4:1-13) Lent 1, Sun, March 9, 2025, FBC Amherst, JG White

The image here of Jesus in the wilderness is a striking piece of art. He does not quite look Mediterranean to me, but a caucasian red-head. We could blame that on the sunrise. 

Or is it one of the sunsets, in those forty days He spent all alone? No matter. We can wonder how he felt, what he was thinking. Does it seem more like the vibrant red of sunlight on the horizon, or a terrible wildfire in the distance? 

And what could Jesus the Christ be pondering and feeling today, among us, in the wilderness of life in 2025? Many people I know, or know of, have this dread about - not the next forty days - but the next four years, here in North America. It can seem that what is on our horizon is indeed a dangerous and unpredictable fire of mayhem and destruction. 

On Ash Wednesday, American writer and social-media maven, Diana Butler Bass, lamented: I’m not well. My soul is sick. I see nothing but greed, destruction, lying, inhumanity, and evil all around.

If anyone tells me that I came from ash and will return to it, I may well laugh in their face. Or cry and never stop. I just hope I don’t hit the priest. Because — read the room, people — we’re standing in ash up to our knees.

In short, the last thing I want or need right now is Lent. I’m nearly Lent-ed out already. I’ve been Lenting for months.

Bass is writing material this season of Lent to give some hope and some encouragement to do things that help us cope and make a difference. At the start of this, today, we have First Testament instructions to give thanks. How to worship once the Children of Israel get out of their forty years in the wilderness, and finally have a first crop to harvest in the Promised Land. Take the first bit of food, and give thanks with it, to God.

Give thanks. Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Wonderful. Beautiful. If you are finally out of your years in the wilderness and are just starting to thrive in a new, fertile land. But what about, what about now? 

Being told to give thanks can, as we know, be hard, or harmful, even abusive. Being ordered to be grateful can be downright evil. 

Way back in 2018, Diana Butler Bass wrote an article for The New York Times called, Thank Trump, or You’ll Be Sorry. 2018!

Gratitude is central to Mr. Trump’s politics. He demands it of his followers, his cabinet and, indeed, of all citizens. He deploys gratitude against his enemies and critics to embarrass and shame. Being grateful is not an option. It is a requirement….

She mentions there is nothing new here. Look back to former powers like the Roman Empire, with Caesar, demanding thanks and praise and worship - or else! History repeats itself. So, we need a repeat of the fellowship of Jesus in our midst. Learn of Him about gratitude and praise. And of His refusal to bow to Caesar… or to the Tempter in the wilderness, who offered lots of things to Jesus, if only He would bow to the wrong one. Jesus takes different paths from this wilderness, with a welcome for folks into the generosity of God, and an attitude following ‘the golden rule’ (Lk 6:31). 

Genuine gratitude is a real gift, a power, a joy, a connection. In response to Trump, Bass wrote: There is… an alternative to the pyramid of gratitude: a table. One of the enduring images… is that of a Thanksgiving table, where people celebrate abundance, serve one another and make sure all are fed. People give with no expectation of return, and joy replaces obligation.

This is the spirit of the guidance in Deuteronomy 26. In the new land, with your first crops, make an offering to Holy God. I can still hear my Divinity School professor reciting those words of old, “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien, few in number, and there he became a great nation, mighty and populous…”

I believe that when times are hopeful, when times are great, when times are faltering, and when times are troubled, there is a place for finding joy and expressing gratitude. Notice what goes on in that ancient ritual in Deuteronomy. The first of the earth’s gifts are the root of gratitude. It is an act of worship, a ritual, that embodies the blessing. The telling of the story of the community, and of the ancestors, is vital. And not just the insiders - in this case, the Hebrews - but all those present (the non-farmers and temporary immigrants) take part in the thanksgiving. 

Gratitude in the wilderness and out of it is important. At some times, when the food has run out, or the freedom fails, or hope dies off, it will be just the stories of the past to give thanks for. This is life-giving, thanks be to God.  A wandering Arimean, Jacob, was our ancestor. Ruth of Moab was our ancestor. Jesus of Nazareth was our ancestor. David and Sarah Steele were our ancestors. 

So let me end with an attitude of gratitude ‘rant,’ with apologies to Jeff Douglas, and to Deuteronomy 26.

Hey, I’m not a literalist or a Bible-thumper.

I don’t read Charles Stanley, use Focus on the Family, or watch Fox News.

A wandering Galilean was my spiritual Ancestor.

I have a Saviour, not a Santa, at Christmas, and a Resurrection, not a rabbit, at Easter.

I believe Jesus came down into Earth and lived here as a human being, with followers few in number.

After His death, they became salt and light, mighty and purposeful, helping those afflicted and treated harshly. 

He taught us to be grateful, not greedy; don’t fight evil with vengeance, but forgive as we have been forgiven.

We don’t prey upon those not like us, but pray to the merciful God of our ancestors.

We have been brought into the Kingdom of the Prince of Peace, not some life of consumer prosperity.

We carry our cross, not our privileges; we care for the earth, not crush it with greed.

We were brought out of evil with a humble sacrifice, not by a terrifying victory of force. 

Christ was not sent into the world to condemn it, but in order that the whole world might be saved!

Jesus turned the other cheek, and put His ‘elbows up’ to  extend His arms upon a cross.

So, I believe in amazing grace, not instant karma; all are welcome, not almost persuaded but lost.

Christianity is the largest world religion, the foundation of our fellowship, and the best part of my life!

My name is Jeff, and I am Christian!

Thank You, Jesus.