Scripture: Matthew 4:1–11
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” —Matthew 4:1
Reflection
It is striking that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted. The wilderness was not an accident. It was not punishment. It was preparation.
Lent mirrors this journey.
Before Jesus began His public ministry, before miracles and crowds and triumphal entry, He faced hunger, isolation, and temptation. Forty days of fasting. Forty days of silence.
Forty days of testing.
And the enemy came to Him in three familiar ways.
1. Turn stones to bread. Vs. 3-4
“If You are the Son of God…”
Satisfy Your hunger. Use Your power for Yourself.
Temptation often whispers the same thing to us:
Take care of yourself first. Meet your needs your way. Why wait on God?
But Jesus responds, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Jesus teaches us that our deepest hunger is not physical. It is spiritual.
2. Throw Yourself down. Vs. 5-7
Prove who You are. Make God rescue You.
Temptation sometimes looks like demanding signs. “God, if You really love me, show me.”
This temptation strikes at identity.
“If You are the Son of God…” Prove it. Make God respond. Control the outcome. We face similar temptations: “God, if You really love me, show me. If I step out, You better catch me.”
But trust does not manipulate God.
3. Bow down and worship me. Vs. 8-10
Take the shortcut. Skip the suffering. Gain the kingdoms now.
The enemy offered Jesus glory without the cross.
How often are we tempted to choose influence without obedience… success without surrender… comfort without cost?
Jesus answers, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” No shortcuts. No divided loyalties.
What This Means for Us Lent is not just about giving something up.
It is about facing what tempts us to live apart from God. Like Jesus, we may find ourselves in wilderness seasons: When we feel spiritually dry, when prayers seem quiet, when obedience feels costly.
But the wilderness is where identity is strengthened and Jesus shows us the way:
1. Stand On Scripture
2. Refuse Shortcuts
3. Worship God Alone
Reflection Questions
1. Where am I most tempted right now — appetite, approval, or control?
2. Am I trying to shortcut obedience to avoid discomfort?
3. What truth from God’s Word do I need to speak over my current wilderness?
Prayer
Father,
You met Your Son in the wilderness and strengthened Him in temptation.
Meet me in my wilderness.
When I hunger for comfort, teach me to hunger for Your Word.
When I seek control or approval, teach me to trust You without testing You.
When I am tempted by shortcuts or compromise, guard my heart from divided loyalty.
Root my identity in being Your beloved child. Give me courage to stand firm. And shape this season of Lent into a deeper surrender to You.
Amen.