1st Sunday in Lent March 9th 2025
Matthew 4: 1-11 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “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, o that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
1st Sunday in Lent Reflection – Jesus is Tempted in the Wilderness
The account of Jesus being tempted in the desert is a powerful moment that invites deep reflection on faith, perseverance, and spiritual strength. After fasting for forty days and nights, Jesus faced three temptations from Satan, each designed to exploit human weakness and challenge His divine mission.
The first temptation—turning stones into bread—appeals to physical hunger and immediate gratification. This reminds us of our own struggles with prioritizing spiritual nourishment over earthly desires. Jesus responds by declaring that “man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God,” teaching us to rely on God’s provision and trust in His timing.
The second temptation—throwing Himself down from the temple to test God’s protection—challenges Jesus to seek proof of God’s care. Here, Jesus refuses to manipulate God’s promises, affirming that faith should be grounded in trust, not tests. This reminds us to resist the urge to demand signs from God and instead walk confidently in His love and guidance.
The third temptation—offering all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worshiping Satan—tempts Jesus with power and glory. His rejection of this offer shows us the importance of worshiping God alone and not compromising our values for worldly gain. Jesus’ response, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only,” calls us to remain steadfast in our devotion, even in the face of enticing false promises.
This reflection on Jesus’ experience in the desert challenges us to examine our own lives. Are we relying on God’s word as our sustenance? Do we trust Him without demanding signs? Are we prioritizing Him above all else? The temptations Jesus faced mirror the struggles we encounter, yet His victory assures us that, through faith, we too can overcome.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we begin this season of Lent, we come before You with humble hearts, seeking to draw closer to You. Just as Your Son, Jesus, overcame temptation in the wilderness, guide us in resisting the distractions that pull us away from Your presence. Strengthen us with Your Word and fill us with the resolve to choose Your will above all else. Help us to remember that true sustenance comes from You alone. May this time of reflection and fasting lead us to a deeper understanding of Your grace and love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.