Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:13–4:11
As we enter into the season of Lent, we turn our attention to Jesus’ journey toward the cross. This journey begins with His baptism and His temptation in the wilderness—two pivotal events that shape His mission and reveal powerful truths about our own walk of faith.
Baptism: A Moment of Identity and Mission
When Jesus comes to John the Baptist to be baptized, John is perplexed. He knows that Jesus is greater than he is, and yet Jesus insists on baptism, saying, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).
Why would Jesus, the sinless Son of God, need to undergo a baptism meant for repentance? His baptism was not about personal repentance, but about identification. Jesus was identifying with sinners—standing in our place from the very beginning of His public ministry. Just as His ultimate mission would be to take on our sins on the cross, here He symbolically steps into our humanity, demonstrating His full solidarity with us.
As Jesus rises from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice declares: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). This moment affirms Jesus’ identity and mission—He is the Son of God, and He has come to fulfill the Father’s plan of redemption.
The Wilderness: A Place of Testing and Strengthening
Immediately after this divine affirmation, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. It is there, in the harsh and lonely desert, that He faces the enemy.
For 40 days, Jesus fasts, echoing the experiences of Moses, Elijah, and the Israelites who wandered for 40 years. In His hunger and weakness, Satan tempts Him, trying to divert Him from His mission:
1. The Temptation of Provision – “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread” (Matthew 4:3). Satan tempts Jesus to use His power for self-gratification rather than trust in God’s provision. Jesus responds, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
2. The Temptation of Protection – “Throw yourself down, for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you’” (Matthew 4:6). Satan misuses Scripture to challenge Jesus to test God. Jesus refuses, declaring, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matthew 4:7).
3. The Temptation of Power – “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9). Satan offers Jesus the kingdoms of the world without the cross. Jesus rebukes him, saying, “You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10).
With each temptation, Jesus remains steadfast, standing firm in His dependence on the Father. Where Adam failed in the garden and Israel failed in the wilderness, Jesus succeeds.
The Meaning of Lent: A Time for Testing and Transformation
Lent mirrors Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness. It is a season of self-examination, fasting, prayer, and spiritual discipline. But it is not meant to be an empty ritual; it is a time for deep transformation.
- Fasting reminds us of our dependence on God – Just as Jesus fasted, we voluntarily give up comforts to sharpen our spiritual focus.
- Temptation is part of the journey – Jesus faced temptation, and so will we. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome.
- The wilderness is a place of preparation – Just as Jesus’ time in the desert strengthened Him for His mission, Lent is a season that prepares our hearts for the joy of Easter.
Meeting Jesus in the Wilderness
The remarkable truth of the gospel is that Jesus doesn’t meet us where we feel strongest. He meets us in our wilderness—the places of our pain, struggles, and need.
Too often, we want to invite Jesus into the “best parts” of our lives—the polished, presentable, and socially acceptable spaces. But Jesus’ journey begins in the desert. He calls us to meet Him in our brokenness, to bring our struggles, sins, and weaknesses to Him.
This is the invitation of Lent: to journey with Jesus through the wilderness, to let Him shape us, to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit, and to prepare our hearts for the victory of the resurrection.
Reflection Questions:
- Where is your “wilderness” right now? What struggles or temptations are you facing?
- How can you intentionally draw closer to Jesus through spiritual disciplines this Lent?
- In what ways do you need to depend on the Holy Spirit for strength in this season?
