Into the Wilderness

Lee Davis • March 6, 2025

Facing Temptation with Christ

As we journey through the season of Lent, we are invited into a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. Our Gospel reading for this Sunday from Luke 4:1-13 draws us into the wilderness with Jesus, where He faces temptation directly. This passage is not just a historical account; it is a mirror held up to our own lives, revealing the struggles we face and the path to overcoming them.


Luke tells us that Jesus, “full of the Holy Spirit,” was led into the wilderness, where He fasted for forty days and was tempted by the devil. The wilderness is not just a geographical location; it represents those seasons in our lives when we feel isolated, vulnerable, and tested. Whether it’s the wilderness of grief, uncertainty about the future, or the struggle to resist what we know is harmful, we all find ourselves there at times.


The temptations Jesus faces are strikingly relevant today: the lure of material comfort (“command this stone to become a loaf of bread”), the seduction of power and control (“to you I will give all this authority”), and the desire to test God’s love and protection (“throw yourself down from here”). These are not just personal temptations but societal ones—our culture often measures success by wealth, influence, and a kind of faith that demands proof on our terms.


What stands out in this passage is how Jesus responds. He counters each temptation not with displays of power but with the Word of God, affirming His trust in the Father’s provision, timing, and plan. In doing so, Jesus reveals that true strength is found not in asserting control but in surrendering to God’s will.


His responses also remind us that Scripture is not a weapon to wield against others but a source of truth to anchor ourselves in times of trial. As Episcopalians, we hold to the practice of reading and praying through Scripture, allowing it to shape us. This passage challenges us to deepen our engagement with God’s Word—not just for knowledge but for transformation.


It’s significant that Jesus’ time in the wilderness comes right after His baptism, where He is declared God’s beloved Son, and just before His public ministry begins. The wilderness, then, is a place of preparation and clarity. For us, too, times of temptation and struggle can become opportunities to clarify our identity and calling.


Henri Nouwen once wrote, “We are not what we do, what we have, or what others think of us. We are the beloved children of God.” This truth, proclaimed at Jesus’ baptism and reaffirmed in the wilderness, is what enables us to resist the voices that tell us we are not enough, that we need to prove our worth.


This passage invites us to reflect on our own wilderness experiences. What voices are we listening to? Where are we tempted to seek security outside of God? And how might we, like Jesus, hold fast to the truth of who we are—beloved, called, and sent into the world?

In a society that often equates power with domination and worth with wealth, following Jesus means embracing a different kind of strength: one rooted in humility, trust, and sacrificial love. As we continue through Lent, may we find the courage to follow Him—not around the wilderness, but through it—trusting that God’s Spirit is with us every step of the way.


Questions for Reflection:

  1. What “wilderness” are you experiencing in your life right now?
  2. How might you use Scripture to counter the voices of fear, inadequacy, or pride?
  3. In what ways can you embody Christ’s trust in God’s provision and timing?



May this Lenten season deepen our trust in God’s love and lead us to new places of faithfulness and hope.


picture of empty tomb
By Lee Davis April 21, 2025
Even in the face of fear and resistance, the resurrection of Jesus cannot be silenced—Christ is risen, and that changes everything. Like the women at the tomb, we are called to boldly share this truth and live as witnesses to God’s unstoppable love.
darkness surrounding cross with light
By Lee Davis April 19, 2025
The Great Vigil of Easter, which brings Holy Saturday to a close, is the Church’s most ancient and dramatic liturgy—moving us from darkness to light, death to resurrection. Through fire, story, water, and feast, we proclaim with joy: Christ is risen, Alleluia!
picture of crown of thorns
By Lee Davis April 18, 2025
On Good Friday, the Church enters a solemn stillness, rich with symbolism—the bare altar, the veneration of the cross, and the silence all speak to the depth of Christ’s suffering and love. Though we stand at the foot of the cross in grief, we do so with hope, knowing the story is not over.
baroque organ
By Andrew Butler April 17, 2025
As we enter the joyous season of Eastertide, we are excited to begin a series of articles exploring the rich tapestry of music that celebrates the resurrection of Christ. This week, we delve into Bach’s majestic Easter Oratorio, focusing on its opening piece, the Sinfonia, which will be performed during our Easter Sunday service.
jesus pouring water into basin
By Lee Davis April 17, 2025
Holy Thursday invites us to remember the night Jesus knelt to wash feet, broke bread with friends, and gave a new commandment: to love one another as He has loved us. In the face of betrayal and suffering, Jesus chose radical, self-giving love—and calls us to do the same.
picture of a crown of thorns and 30 pieces of silver
By Lee Davis April 16, 2025
Holy Wednesday, also known as Spy Wednesday, commemorates Judas Iscariot’s secret plot to betray Jesus, marking a pivotal turning point in the Passion narrative. It invites us into solemn reflection on human frailty, the cost of betrayal, and the enduring hope of redemption.
picture showing Gaza on map
By Lee Davis April 15, 2025
On Palm Sunday the Anglican Hospital in Gaza, run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem was hit by two airstrikes. Our Bishop, following a century-long tradition, has called for Good Friday offerings to be made offering our support.
picture of the barren fig tree
By Lee Davis April 14, 2025
Fig Tuesday, observed on Holy Tuesday, recalls Jesus’ encounter with the barren fig tree and challenges us to reflect on the authenticity and fruitfulness of our faith. It invites us to move beyond appearances, examining our lives with honesty as we prepare our hearts for the cross and the promise of resurrection.
painting of Jesus overturning tables in the temple
By Lee Davis April 14, 2025
On Holy Monday, we remember Jesus overturning the tables in the temple—a bold act of love that calls out injustice and clears space for true worship. This moment challenges us to examine what needs to be overturned in our own hearts and communities so that all may draw near to God.
palm with cross as shadow
By Andrew Butler April 10, 2025
As we continue our exploration of music during the Lent season, we arrive at a pivotal moment: Palm/Passion Sunday. This day is marked by contrasting emotions and serves as both the culmination of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. It is a day that invites us to reflect deeply on the dual themes of celebration and sacrifice.
Show More