For this First Sunday in the church's season of Lent, we look at the story of Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. While there's much to say about the text, we focus on two key components - Identity and Testing. Whether we voluntarily go into the wilderness for a time of sharpening and purifying with God's Grace or we're brought there involuntarily through bad circumstances in our lives, all of us inevitably will find ourselves in the wilderness. The Good News is that God is with us, even there, and has something profound and valuable during these times. His presence changes us and his voice affirms our True Identity in relationship to him.
Key texts: Matthew 4:1-11
