By the Way: Jesus’ temptation and our Lenten journey

By Scott Raible on March 15, 2025.

Hundreds of millions of Christians worldwide take part in Lent as a season of spiritual growth, self-denial, and repentance, often marked by giving up certain comforts or doing acts of kindness and generosity. During Lent, we reflect on Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness, where He fasted and was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11).

This time of testing was not merely about endurance but a preparation for His mission. Similarly, Lent calls us to a season of self-examination, prayer, and spiritual renewal – especially in times of uncertainty and crisis.

Jesus faced three major temptations: turning stones into bread to satisfy hunger, testing God’s protection by throwing Himself from the temple, and gaining worldly power by worshiping Satan. These temptations mirror our struggles today-seeking material security amid inflation and job instability, grasping for control in uncertain times, and the temptation to compromise values for power or comfort. However, Jesus did not respond with human reasoning or strength alone. He countered each temptation with Scripture, but only after a prolonged period of fasting, prayer, and separation in obedience to God. His victory over temptation was rooted in spiritual preparation.

In our world today, we face immense challenges-wars and conflicts like those in Ukraine and Gaza, economic hardship with rising costs of living, and political divisions causing instability and hostilities within our communities, our families, and even within our church community. These struggles remind us of our dependence on God. Just as Jesus withdrew to the wilderness to prepare for His mission, Lent invites us to turn away from worldly distractions and draw closer to God through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity and generosity.

Fasting reminds us that we do not live by bread alone, helping us refocus our priorities beyond material concerns. Prayer strengthens our faith, anchoring us in God’s truth and His Presence despite the turmoil around us. Acts of charity and generosity remind us that in a world of suffering, we are called to be Christ’s hands and feet, offering hope and compassion.

Jesus’ time in the desert teaches us that while temptation and hardship are inevitable, victory can come through obedience, prayer, and trust in God. As we journey through Lent and life in these challenging times, may we embrace the wilderness, trusting that God is preparing us to stand firm in faith and bring His love into a troubled world, both in us and through us.

Scott Raible has served as an ordained minister in Medicine Hat for the past twenty years, and started Christian radio in Medicine Hat with Alive 99.5 and later served as an announcer and music director on 93.7 Praise FM. Scott Raible can be reached at scottraible@gmail.com

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