This year the Gospel for the First Sunday in Lent is from Luke 4:1-13. This selection is one of the accounts of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. As our Lord began His public ministry, He took time apart for prayer and fasting. Near the end of this time, the Tempter sought to catch Jesus in a moment of weakness. Satan used three basic human needs as points of spiritual attack. First, there was the physical need to care for the body- in this case, the need for food. Secondly, there was the human need for safe surroundings- in this case, political surroundings. Thirdly, there was the human desire for social contact and affirmation- in this case, the temptation to seek public approval by a showy display. Although the human nature of Jesus was tried, He was able to resist these temptations because of His unique divine nature. He remained connected with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Thus, Jesus overcame these temptations and did not sin. He also overcame temptation throughout His earthly life, death, and resurrection, and thus He won a victory for all humanity.
Unfortunately, even the most dedicated Christians do not have the spiritual perfection of our Lord, and we often succumb to one temptation or another. Still, we do have hope. Through our Christian baptism and through faith in Jesus Christ, His grace can strengthen us to resist many temptations. And when we do fail, His grace can lead us to seek repentance and renewal. Temptations to evil are bound to come, but there is good news. Jesus Christ has conquered Satan, sin, and death, and He offers us His gracious help each and every day!
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