Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit through the wilderness, being tempted there by the devil for forty days. (Luke 4:1-2)

Luke 4:1-13

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Does this mean that God wanted Jesus to be tempted? Why would that be? What would the purpose of the temptations be?

What if temptations are a necessary part of our lives, offering us an opportunity? Let us look at our story about Jesus again. As we already said, he was blessed and affirmed at his baptism and filled with the Holy Spirit just before these temptations. This strengthened him to deal with the ordeal in the wilderness. Immediately afterwards, he began his public ministry, preaching in Nazareth from the book of Isaiah, “This prophecy is being fulfilled today”. It looks like dealing with the temptations was very positive for Jesus. Could this be so for us also?

Jesus’ experiences in the desert did not determine how God would see Jesus but how Jesus saw himself. He learned that he was filled with and led by the Holy Spirit. This was now not only theoretically but known in his heart, in the depths of his body and soul. The story leads us through Jesus's discernments about the nature of salvation – how he might have interpreted the divine promises and his mission. However, he relied on the Holy Spirit; he knew the truth about himself and clarified and deepened his life. He is God’s child, blessed and chosen with a clear mission. 

What if that is true for our temptations as well? Are we invited to know the same? With the Holy Spirit present in our lives, as the Spirit was in Jesus’ life, including during his temptations, will we be allowed to learn something important that calls for deep reflection during this Lent? It may be to deal with guilt, shame, or embarrassment, or to heal relationships, gain new skills, grow, value our gifts and dreams which we are avoiding, and be called to live and fall in love with the world and God! 

Will my temptations allow me to come to know my beloved self? Am I tempted to think that I am not ‘good enough’ for our God of love, who created each of us in love?

What are my deepest desires?

Reflections by Kath Knowles

Loving God,
You have sent your Holy Spirit to inspire and empower me 

to examine my life carefully this Lent. Please help me, 

with the gift of abundant grace, to go beneath the superficial, connect with you, and see through you where I am called to make the changes to live the life you have gifted me truly.
Amen.

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