Wednesday, February 26th we observed the first day of Lent with “Into the Wilderness,” a self-guided experience of prayer and reflection. While we can’t preserve the whole experience online, we can share some photos and the devotional prompts. We encourage you set aside some time and read through the devotion below. We have also created a Lent guide outlining some ways you can focus on spiritual practices with us this season.
Introduction
As Jesus began His ministry on earth, He spent time alone with God in the wilderness preparing for what was ahead by being silent and still, praying and worshiping. We invite you to enter this season with those same practices. Prepare yourself and take your own symbolic journey into the wilderness today.
Slow down.
Take inventory of your life.
Pray. Read. Reflect.
Invite God to help you empty from your life the lesser things, things which don’t fulfill or sustain, so that you may be filled with the greater things of God.
You will need a pen or a pencil and three pieces of paper to complete this devotion.
Into the Wilderness…
We asked people to respond to Matthew 4:1-11 and create an artwork. Click on the images below to see their response and read their statement.
Temptation #1
After fasting for forty days and nights, [Jesus] was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to come bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
– Matthew 4:2-4
Read through this passage several times slowly. As you read, listen carefully to what God may be speaking to you. Where does this passage intersect with your life?
Satan tried to convince Jesus that He would feel better if He took His desire to feel full into His own hands. This is the same lie Satan breathes to all of us: God won't meet our needs. He can't be fully trusted to satisfy our desires or know what we need.
We are all tempted to seek satisfaction apart from God. But the truth is nothing apart from God can satisfy.
Take a moment to pray and ask God to reveal what the “rock" is in your life.
Identify it and write it on your first piece of paper. Then crumple it up and throw it in the basket.
Pray and ask God to take that "rock" of yours and instead give you the faith to trust Him to provide and fulfill.
Temptation #2
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.’”
- Matthew 4:5-7
Read through this passage several times slowly. As you read, listen carefully to what God may be speaking to you. Where does this passage intersect with your life?
Satan tempted saying,“If God loves you, he won't let you suffer. He won't let you get hurt.” If Jesus were to believe this lie, He would think that suffering was not a part of God's plan, that the cross before Him was incompatible with the love of God. And He would run from it. Or run from God.
Yet, Jesus’ experience reminds us of the truth. God's people walk through deserts. They thirst, and sometimes God's people suffer as part of His plan. And yet, in it all, God is still as good and loving as He ever has been. In fact, the greatest way God often accomplishes His purposes is through suffering.
Jesus himself surrendered his body for beatings and torture. He was deserted by his friends and mocked. He allowed a crown of thorns to be placed upon His head...and gave up his life for us.
Look at this crown of thorns and reflect on the pain Jesus endured.
Identify the pain or the suffering you are experiencing in your own life. What is it that you have experienced that makes you tempted to question God's love for you? What makes you want to run away from your Father?
Write that suffering on your piece of paper. As a declaration of faith in God's love for you, drive your paper through the thorns on the crown.
For as Jesus endured, may we, too, endure. As Jesus sought comfort from His Father instead of running from Him, may we, too, seek comfort from our Father who loves us.
Temptation #3
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 the angels attended him.
– Matthew 4:8-11
Read through this passage several times slowly. As you read, listen carefully to what God may be speaking to you. Where does this passage intersect with your life?
The last temptation of the enemy was to tempt Jesus to believe that he could have all power, prestige and splendor if only Jesus would simply bow down and worship him. Interestingly enough, God intended to give all that that to Jesus anyway. But Satan's path was very different than God's.
Satan's path bypassed any "work" and was short-sighted. Any kingdom established apart from God only lasts as long as that lifetime. In contrast, God offers His Kingdom that lasts for all eternity for those who worship Him as the true Source of power and strength and splendor.
We were created to worship. Satan knows that and desires to exploit that for his glory and our ruin. We are all tempted to give our worship – our focus, our attention, our devotion – to false gods...gods that appear to promise power, applause, satisfaction, or comfort.
The way we combat the false gods in our lives is to redirect our thoughts and praise to the only One who is truly worthy. Just as Jesus told satan who was worthy of praise, we respond the same way.
Take a moment to identify the things that threaten or compete for your worship of the one true God. You may use the prayers or Psalms located on the chairs around you to help direct and inspire your thoughts and prayer.
On your last piece of paper, write a praise to God that puts those "gods" in their rightful place
Clip your paper to these strings, symbolically representing our praises being lifted up as an offering to God.
Communion
After reflecting on the temptations of Jesus you have used up your three pieces of paper and are now empty handed. We encourage you, open-handed, to receive communion. These elements remind us that, although Christ was tempted, He chose God's way and gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. His body was broken for you. His blood was shed for you. All so you can be free from sin and experience life with God.
No matter what wilderness you are in, remember that Christ gave His life for yours. No temptation is beyond the power of the cross. You are set free to live free. Take these elements and reflect on how Christ is with you in your wilderness.