Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7. Matthew 4:1-4, 8-11
The story of the Garden of Eden in today’s reading from Genesis 2 is by no means an easy passage. It carries some complicated theological implications and presents us with several dilemmas. However, I would like us to look at this story through the lens of our Gospel reading in Matthew 4, ‘Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness’.
Genesis account begins with God placing humans in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and guard it with a clear instruction: “You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden, except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad. You must not eat the fruit of that tree; if you do, you will die the same day.”
While every tree in the garden was theirs to enjoy, one remained off-limits: the tree in the middle. Here, we see that God placed humanity in a sanctuary of abundance and gave one protective boundary.
Yet, in the narrative, the serpent didn’t start with a lie. He started with a question: “Really? Did God really say that?” Satan wasn’t just offering information; he was redirecting their faith. The Satan moved them from a place of trusting in God’s goodness to a place of doubt caused by common sense.
When Eve looked at the fruit, she saw it was “good for food” and “pleasing to the eye.” She allowed her common sense and physical appetite to override God’s clear instruction. Two universal human dilemmas emerge from the reading: ‘greed and wrong choices.’ We know from experience that when our lives are directed by greed and wrong choices, hell becomes an imminent reality.
Adam and Eve had everything they could ever need, yet they reached for “more.” Perhaps they were searching for an ultimate knowledge or some level of spirituality.
What they didn’t realize is that true wisdom, true meaning of life —as Proverbs tells us—begins with knowing God. Only His presence can fill that deep spiritual hunger. In the Garden, everything was within their reach, but through one wrong choice, they lost it all.
The choices we make every day create the reality we live in. Just like in the Garden, our lives are shaped by these small, daily decisions. Do we trust what God has provided, or do we reach for what He has set aside? Do we seek the ‘sources of wisdom’ through God, or just more facts to feel powerful? Or, are we trying to make right choices, that will lead us closer to God?
We see this same struggle in the wilderness with Jesus in today’s gospel reading, where Satan approached Him and suggested: “If you are really from God, prove it. Tell these stones to become bread.”
On the surface, these suggestions weren’t necessarily “evil”—they seemed like “common sense.” If you are hungry, eat! If you have power, use it for yourself.
But Jesus responded by reaching back to the truth that Adam and Eve had ignored. He declared: “Human beings cannot live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.”
Later, Satan showed Jesus the beauty and power of every kingdom on earth. He offered it all to Him—on the condition that Jesus bow down and worship him.
I don’t think it’s wrong to desire beauty, achievement or some glory in life, but what really matters is how to get there. Jesus rejected the Satan’s shortcut. Instead, he chose the Father’s way, even though it was more difficult. He chose God’s timing over the world’s “fast track” to success.
We see another pivotal choice in Exodus 14. Imagine Moses and the multitude standing at the edge of the Red Sea. They were caught in a terrifying squeeze: the roar of the ocean in front and the thunder of Egyptian chariots behind them. Moses was standing at a breaking point.
Every sense told him he was trapped. Every logic told him to give up and return. Maybe that seemed like the only way to save his people’s lives and his own.
This wasn’t just a crisis. It was a matter of life or death. It was the ultimate test of Faith against Environment. In that desperate silence, Moses chose to look up instead of looking around. He had to decide which reality was more real: the sea blocking his path, or the God who had called him to walk through it.
He didn’t know what to do. At that very moment, he was reminded of the promise that God made with him. God told him his people would be a free nation. So, he decided to invest his life in God’s promise. He chose faith over his environment.
Psychologists use a term called the ‘Locus of Control.’ It’s a simple question: Do you believe your life is controlled by what happens to you? Or do you believe your life is controlled by the choices you make?
Standing at the Red Sea, Moses’ environment screamed that he was a victim of his circumstances. He couldn’t control the Egyptian army, and he couldn’t move the ocean. But Moses did something transformative: he shifted his focus. He moved from an External Locus—the fear of what was around him—to a Heavenly Locus—the truth of who really was in control.
He realised that while he couldn’t control the sea, he could control his decision to trust God. That one choice didn’t just change his perspective; it transformed the impossible into the possible by opening the dry passage through the water.
It happens all the time in our daily life. The point is, your environment sets the stage, but you faith determines the story.
Friends, we are not merely the results of our environments. Of course, our environments set the stage, but you are the story tellers. You are called to create your stories based on your faith in God and His goodness.
Every day, we are the sum of our choices. Some are trivial, but others are pivotal. But every choice we make will define our character and our direction.
A “right choice” isn’t just about avoiding sin or problems; it is about active reliance. When you are surrounded by uncertainty, you have the same opportunity Jesus had. You can try to fix it yourself by turning stones into bread, or you can stand firm on the Word of God and wait for His timing.
God did not leave Jesus in the desert, and He did not leave Moses at the sea. And trust me, God will not leave you in your own desert or Red Sea. When you choose God and his Words, He will make a way always.
Choose God. Choose His way. Choose life. Amen.
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Reflecting Prayer
Thank you for the gift of your Word and the reminder that our lives are shaped by the choices we make in your presence. In moments of uncertainty, help us to trust your goodness, and find your direction. When we stand before our own “Red Seas,” give us the courage of Moses to look up to You rather than around at our circumstances.
Guide our steps this week, that our daily decisions may lead us closer to You.
Choose us, Lord, and help us to choose You. We ask it in Your son’s name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
