Read and reflect on the following passage from Matthew 4:1-11...
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’”
Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” Jesus told him, “Get away from me, Satan. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Lent is a 40 day season of preparation leading up to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. It begins today, Ash Wednesday... a day marked by confession of sin and commitment to repentance. We too are called out during these 40 days to own up to our mistakes and poor choices, to remove temptations, and to prepare our hearts for the journey ahead.
What sins do you need to confess?
What temptations do you need to run from?
What things can you remove from your life to allow more space for God?
Spend some quiet time with God in prayer.
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