Each year, Lent begins with an account of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. It reminds us that Jesus was truly and fully human, suffering from the devil’s temptations no less than we, and so he can stand by us when we are tempted. His forty-day fast becomes the basis of our forty-day Lenten pilgrimage. Even in the wilderness, even in Lent, even in the difficult moments of our lives, God’s grace feeds us, upholds us, and empowers us. Hungry for God’s mercy, we receive the bread of life to nourish us for the days ahead. Thirsty for God’s amazing grace, we are replenished by the waters of baptism for our Lenten journey. Seeking God’s presence, we are led by the Spirit wherever we go.
Image: Figure in desert. Copyright © Lebrecht Music & Arts/Alamy Stock Photo. Used by permission.