Images of Lent 2026
As I was putting this devotional together and thinking about the season of Lent, it occurred to me that the season might fit the liturgical calendar better if we moved it up to start the day after January 6th – the celebration of Three kings day and Christ’s baptism.
Matthew records, chapter 4, that Jesus was baptized and, immediately, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Not X number of days, weeks or even months after but, rather, immediately.
The season of Lent commemorates Christ’s journey through the wilderness before His ministry began. So, moving the season to begin the day after we commemorate His baptism, and having the “journey” run through the worst of the winter months – ending in mid to late February – just seems to make more sense. But, there’s one more argument for this thought. Scripturally, we don’t move from the wilderness right into Holy week – that is, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and, ultimately, Resurrection day.
Quite the contrary, Jesus three year’s of earthly ministry begins immediately following His wilderness experience. Only then, after this, Palm Sunday, the crucifixion and the resurrection.
When we put Lent and Holy week back to back, as it has been, it’s easy to lose sight of His ministry – the journey, the miracles, the parables, all the things that happen inbetween and before the climax of His ministry.
In any case, at this moment, we’re talking about Lent and the wilderness experience.
After His baptism by John, we learn Jesus was led into the wilderness for 40 days. The number 40 is symbolic and significant in scripture. It is a number of redemption and completion. Remember the Israelites wandered in the desert wilderness for, how many years? Yes, 40 years before they were able to enter the promised land. Noah and his family were on the ark when it rained for 40 days. Now, Jesus spends 40 days in the wilderness.
And, at the end, he was hungry when the devil tempted Him three times. The first time was to turn stones into bread. But Jesus responded, paraphrased, “man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word of God”. We might say He was setting a foundation for praying and reading God’s Word.
Matthew records the other two temptations: Throw Yourself down for the angels will catch You. And, the devil said to Him, paraphrased, “Look at all these kingdoms across the earth. They’re all Yours if You will bow down and worship me”.
Jesus response was “don’t tempt or test God” and “bow down to and worship God only”.
In each of these, Christ’s responses, He was quoting from Deuteronomy. And, in each of His responses, we can see a practical practice for having a relationship with God: Read the Bible, don’t test God and bow down to and worship God, and God only.
After this, scripture tells us the devil left Him until a “more opportune time”. And, the angels ministered to Him.
So, all this begs a couple of questions:
Do you read scripture regularly?
Are you doing things that tempt or test God?
And, who or what are you bowing down to?
Who or what do you worship?
As we move forward into Holy week, this is a great time to reflect on and consider these questions. This is a great time to establish, or renew, your relationship with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessings.
Doug
