Today we'll continue our sermon series on the Lord's Prayer. Let's read Matt 6:13, "Lead us not into temptation." Compared to the previous requests, this request is the most confusing prayer. Why should we ask our heavenly Father not to lead us into temptation? Doesn't James state that God does not tempt anyone? James 1:13 says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone." Doesn't the word "temptation" mean something, which seems pleasant and brings pleasure, that entices us to disobey God and to sin? Doesn't Jesus warn us not to fall into temptation? In Matthew 26:41, He says, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." So, if God doesn't tempt us, and Jesus doesn't want us to fall into temptation, why does Jesus teach us to ask our Father not to lead us into temptation?
The Catholic church, who always prays this prayer in their Mass, has struggled with this for years. Finally, despite opposition from traditionalists, on May 22, Pope Francis has officially approved a change to the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:13 that replaces "lead us not into temptation" with "Do not let us fall into temptation." He approved the change following 16 years of research by experts who found a mistake in the current translation "from a theological, pastoral, and stylistic viewpoint,"
I think the new translation gives us a better theological understanding that what we ask the Father is not that He won't lead us into temptation, but when we face a trial, we ask Him to help us not fall into temptation. But there is a problem with this change. The sentence "Lead us not" or "Do not lead us" is the correct translation of the Greek word "eisenenkes" (from "eis" and "pheró"), which means "lead into," or "bring in." So, I don't think we can translate it into "Do not let us fall . . .". We should not change the translation to fit our theological understanding.
But the word "temptation" or "peirazo" has several meanings: (a) trial, probation, testing, being tried, (b) temptation, (c) calamity, an affliction. So, I think we can translate Matt 6:13 into: "Do not lead us into trial or test." (instead of temptation). Adam Clarke said, "The word "peirasmon," which may be here rendered sore trial, comes from "peiro," to pierce through, as with a spear, or spit, used so by some of the best Greek writers." Some early church fathers understood it something in this way; and, therefore, added the sentence "quam ferre non possimus," "Do not lead us into a trial which we cannot bear." I believe this is a prayer for the ability and strength to stand up under the pressure of trials!
But we know that trials, like persecution, spiritual conflicts, the agony of the body, or spirit, may come to us as a test or as a discipline. Apostle Peter says, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ …" (1 Peter 1:6-7). Should we ask our heavenly Father to free us from trials? An ideal stoicism, a perfected faith, would say, "No, let us accept them, and leave the issue in our Father's hands." But those who are conscious of their weakness cannot shake off the thought that they might fail in the conflict, and the cry of that conscious weakness is, therefore, "Lead us not into such trials," even as our Lord prayed, "My Father if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39). And the answer to the prayer may come either directly in existing exemption from the trial, or in strength to bear it.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Apostle Paul, who I believe had heard about the Lord's Prayer that Jesus taught, also says that many Bible translations (including Indonesian) translated it as "temptation." Still, I think what he meant was "trial." The New American Bible (Revised Edition) translated is correct:" No trial has come to you, but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial, he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it." (1 Cor 10:13). So, what we learn today is that we may ask our heavenly Father not to lead us into a very tough trial or test. But if God allows us to face trials in our lives, we must believe that that won't beyond what we can bear and that He will give us strength and provide a way out.
Closing:
One day a farmer's donkey fell into a well. The animal cried for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed dirt and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey didn't realize what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down. A few shovels load later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel ¬of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something unique. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily ran off...!
People respond to the "dirt of problems" that thrown at them differently. Some are constant complainers; they think they are the most miserable person on earth, and they ignore God's blessing in their lives. Some of them cannot even handle common problems; they get confused, turned around, and do not know what to do. Some give up. Then, there are a few who are invincible. They are like the donkey. Problems can hit them square on the head, but they stomp around enough until they use the situation to rise above it.
As I read this story, I remember the story of Joseph in the Bible. The trial that Joseph faced seemed so overwhelmed for him. He was still very young when he was sold by his brothers to be a slave, separated from his loving Father, lived in a foreign country, had to work hard to survive, experienced a false accusation, and sent to jail. No one would think that he could deal with his challenging situation. But his faith and hope in God made him strong to face trials in his life. And by God's grace, Joseph came out to be the great prime minister of Egypt. May God help us not to give up but remain faithful in facing trials in our lives! And through those various trials that we experience, we can continue to grow and be transformed to be like Christ!
