Matthew 4:1-11 | Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Lent is for listening. This is what Jesus did when he was tempted in the desert. In the midst of his temptations he listened to his Father. It was here, alone in the desert, that he experienced for himself what he would teach others. We do not live on bread alone. We live on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). His whole life and ministry flowed outwards from this listening. This is what we will seek to do throughout this Lenten journey. Learn to listen to the God who speaks to us.
DAILY PRACTICE:
Create for yourself at home your “desert-space” – a sacred place where you can spend time alone with God. It could be a chair in the lounge, the kitchen table after everyone has gone to work, your private study. Make a decision to go there for between five and fifteen minutes daily throughout Lent. So ask yourself today: Where at home can I be alone with God? What time in the day will be best for me? How much time will I set aside each day during Lent? Share with one other person your Lenten commitment and ask them to pray for you during this time.