Ash Wednesday - Lent 1

Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus is Tempted

It sounds strange to begin Lent with the temptation story, but historically that's how it has always began. It was 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, but he wasn't tempted for 40 days, that happened all in the last hours of this journey. So what did Jesus do for the other 39 days (or so)?

We have no record of what Jesus actually did, but we have a good idea from the practices that Jesus would show in the weeks and years of his life and ministry. Mostly Jesus was known to go off by himself to fast and pray. It was his practice; his normal, expected behavior. So, following a major event, his baptism and outing by John the Baptist, Jesus prepares for what is to come by entering the Judean wilderness for a time of fasting, reflection, meditation and prayer. It makes sense. He knows what is coming. He has decisions to make (like choosing disciples, how long to keep his true identity a secret, whether he was going to go through with the plan of God, et. al.) and a resolve to set. This was not going to be an easy journey. The 40 days would be a breeze compared to what was coming. Jesus had to prepare himself, and like some great fathers of the faith who went before him, he took 40 days.

It's not coincidence that Lent is 40 days long (not including Sundays), it's that long because there's something significant about 40 days in a wilderness. Now I'm not suggesting that we all head out from the city for the next 6 weeks and find a tree to sit under, but metaphorically we need to create a wilderness, a place of discomfort, a change in scenery and routine, to take us out of our common, ordinary life, so that we can focus differently; to give up something comfortable in order to take on something that may be uncomfortable (like lunch and Bible Reading); in a place (mentally and spiritually) that allows us to think and pray and allow Jesus to re-enter our lives and speak the words we need to hear.

Now I don't know what those words are for you, or for me for that matter, but I'm setting this time aside to listen as well; to prepare myself for the Easter season, so that I can fully embrace what the work of Jesus in his death and resurrection means to me, for me. So, I'm entering a wilderness and I invite you into your own. Let's give Jesus time this Lenten season and see together what He's preparing for us.

Keep a Holy Lent!

Peace ><>
Pastor Chris