Luke 4:1-13

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Romans 10:5-15

I often have Quick fix temptations - usually when trying to fund a project,  or looking at the church accounts - I could do the lottery, win a couple of millions - use it for a whole host of good causes.

We live in a quick fix world - want it have it - instant credit (or don’t pay for 9 months and then credit!) in debt - just re-arrange the loans - you have a bad image - quick makeover everything is right - TV on demand -  we wait for nothing - there’s no time.

Jesus is offered a quick fix kingdom 

- hungry? - turn this stone into bread - you can do it, so why not?

- kingdom? - here have all the power and authority you want - payment? well a little worship - but your worth it!

- doubts? - quick experiment -if it is true - everyone will know the truth and if not - well, it’s a quick death - no long lingering crucifiction.

But, God’s salvation plan is mapped out through the whole of human history - from the first relationship in the garden of Eden, to the Exodus from Egypt - a story that the people are to tell and re-tell - thanks for the past and hope for the future - the people are to trust, be faithful that the God way - the way of the cross, the way of rejection and suffering,  the way of real relationship not quick fix protection - is the way of truth, the way to real salvation.

“Taking the long way round” - Dixie Chicks - rejected and hated by the people who had proclaimed love for them - they have taken time to make sense of that, discover a new world and new audience - and it has brought success

 Mandela I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.

Romero