The Desert

By Phil Wood

In Christian tradition, although the season of Lent is observed during the 40 days leading up to Easter, it is actually patterned after the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert prior to beginning his ministry.

In Matthew, chapters 3 and 4, we see that immediately after he was baptized by John, and affirmed to the world by a voice from heaven declaring, “This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased,” Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

After forty days and forty nights of fasting, Jesus was hungry. It was then, at his weakest moment, the tempter came to him. We all know the story. Jesus faced and overcame every temptation. After the devil departed, angels came and attended him, and Luke tells us “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread about the whole countryside.”

So, what does this have to do with Lent? Well, during Lent we recognize that the ministry of Jesus now continues through us. And like Jesus, we too must face our temptations so we can be ready for whatever the world throws at us. During Lent we engage in practices that allow the Holy Spirit to transform us more into the likeness of Christ.

According to Ruth Haley Barton, “Jesus’ ministry on earth was very short, so perhaps one such experience was enough for him, but for me, and perhaps for all of us, I need Lent to come around every year so the Holy Spirit can drop the plow and help me dig a little deeper into my own patterns and motivations to see what still needs transforming!”

So Lent is less about giving up chocolate or beer, and more about facing our more serious temptations and transcending them through practices and disciplines that are more in line with God’s intentions.

Setting aside time every day for reading and meditating on Scripture, for praying Scripture, and sitting silent before the Lord is one such discipline.

Fasting from food is another. I definitely do not recommend fasting for forty days and forty nights, as Jesus did. One day is a good way to start. But even one day helps us to see that we do, indeed, have the strength to set aside things that we may hold too dear in our lives. It helps us “fashion our own desert” where we can focus on God and realize our complete dependence on him.

We each have a ministry and, just as Jesus was called to spend 40 days with God in the wilderness, facing his temptations, so we are called during Lent to spend time with God in the wilderness. Call it preparation for the ministry that lies ahead for each of us — ministry to our families, our children and grandchildren, ministry within our circle of influence: our congregation, our friends, our culture, even in political circles.

“We have to fashion our own desert where we can withdraw every day, shake off our compulsions, and dwell in the gentle healing presence of our Lord. Without such a desert we will lose our own soul while preaching the gospel to others. But with such a spiritual abode, we will become increasingly conformed to him in whose name we minister.  (Henri Nouwen)

“Friends, if there has ever been a moment when we…need to fashion our own wilderness so our motives can be purified for God-ordained ministry, the time is now. If there has ever been a moment when we need to be able to see through to what is really going on spiritually so we can reject the temptations of the evil one, the time is now. If there was ever a moment when we need to be strengthened by angels of God in the wilderness places of our lives, the time is now. And if there was ever a time when the world needs [us] to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit in order to carry out the purposes for which we have been anointed, the time is now.” (Ruth Haley Barton)

Invitational question: Can we fashion our own wilderness so that what happened to Jesus in the wilderness can happen to us? (RHB)

Lord God, you sent your son to bear our sins on the cross. And he has made it known that we are to take up that cross daily so that his light, his compassion, his unconditional love may be brought to bear on our troubled world today. Teach our hearts, Lord. Equip us for ministry. Help us to shake off the worldly ways that encumber us and become the hands and feet of Christ. In his holy name, amen.