The Wilderness | Lent 1

Jesus in the Wilderness

We’re wrapping up the first week of Lent. How are you doing?

These 40 days can seem long and yet short at the same time.

In the midst of the fasting and praying and preparing, give yourself some grace. We are not alone on this journey. Today, we start in the wilderness.

Read: Matthew 4:1-11 | Temptation of Jesus

4 Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. ² After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, command these stones to become bread.” ⁴ Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread, but by every word spoken by God.” ⁵ After that, the devil brought him into the holy city and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, ⁶ “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, I will command my angels concerning you, and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.” ⁷ Jesus replied, “Again it’s written, Don’t test the Lord your God.” ⁸ Then the devil brought him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ He said, “I’ll give you all these if you bow down and worship me.” ¹⁰ Jesus responded, “Go away, Satan, because it’s written, You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” ¹¹ The devil left him, and angels came and took care of him.¹

Theological Muse

We do not have control in the wilderness. There are no paths or camping sites. There are no grocery stores or street lamps. Most of the wilderness is uncertain. It’s wild, untamed, and free.