2025/03/09 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

First Sunday of Lent

- Elise Giles, Manager of Growth & Transformation

This Sunday’s Gospel tells us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert being tempted by the devil. The 40 days of Lent represent those days. As we reflect on this passage, we should ask what Jesus' experience in the desert can teach us about how we approach this season of Lent.

One thing is for sure – Jesus came prepared. We see in the first few verses how Jesus enters this time by placing himself into a deep communion with God through prayer and fasting. He knew he was about to be faced with temptation, and he knew where to find strength to overcome it.  

This Gospel reminds me of a passage in St. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews that I love. It reads:  Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

I imagine St. Paul dropping the mic after those verses. But seriously, he is sharing a very important reminder. Sometimes when we face trials and temptations, we can get caught up in thinking that these things must be happening because we are not good enough, so we give in to the temptation or abandon our efforts at overcoming trials. But those are lies straight from the enemy. St. Paul reminds us that Jesus himself was tested in every way.  And we see in this Gospel that Jesus uses the trials in the desert to deepen his reliance on the Holy Spirit.

So, in this season of Lent, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness and remember that Jesus is not indifferent to our trials and weaknesses; rather, He shares in them! I find this to be one of the most beautiful truths in God’s plan of salvation.