Jesus in the wild
Lent 2024: Preparing our hearts for Easter
Jesus in the Wild
What is the meaning within the remarkable scene in Luke 4:1–14 of Jesus being challenged by the devil in the “wild”—the untamed and unruly wilderness? And what are the surprising implications of this event for followers of Jesus today?
In our focus of Jesus in the Wild, we will journey into the heart of one of the most unusual, and often most misunderstood, stories in the Gospel accounts. In this encounter, following his baptism in the Jordan and before the inauguration of his ministry, Jesus is alone with the adversary—the one whose works he had come to destroy (1 John 3:8). He faces three tests, or “temptations”—all aimed at unseating him from his identity, his belovedness, and his purpose as the Son of God.
Understanding how Jesus faced down the accuser in the wild helps to equip us to address every demonic challenge that comes our way in the wild places of our own lives.
In our focus of Jesus in the Wild, we will journey into the heart of one of the most unusual, and often most misunderstood, stories in the Gospel accounts. In this encounter, following his baptism in the Jordan and before the inauguration of his ministry, Jesus is alone with the adversary—the one whose works he had come to destroy (1 John 3:8). He faces three tests, or “temptations”—all aimed at unseating him from his identity, his belovedness, and his purpose as the Son of God.
Understanding how Jesus faced down the accuser in the wild helps to equip us to address every demonic challenge that comes our way in the wild places of our own lives.
Journaling
Lent is often thought of a time as fasting and saying "no" to things, but we'd like you to associate it with saying "yes" to something this year. Yes, to the practice of journaling. Experience alone doesn't bring transformation. Rather, we experience transformation as we reflect on those experiences in the presence of God. Whether on Sunday morning, utilizing the daily devotional, or in the small-group setting, we encourage you to journal as you prepare your heart for Easter.