Jesus in the Wilderness | Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ”Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

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Relaxing under the stars during Spiritual Horizons while hearing the first strum of “Seek Ye First,” a song inspired by this reading, it’s hard to imagine how lonely Jesus felt out there in the desert. At camp, surrounded by community, with a full stomach and a full heart, Seek Ye First is a beautiful song that speaks to the faithfulness of God.  

But Jesus was out there in the wilderness for 40 days - no community, no full belly, forced to face head on the tantalizing pull of earthly empire-driven power…no voices raised in song, just the constant temptation to give in to the lies around and within. 

Yet, in the midst of it all, Jesus remains faithful.

One of the leadership skills we practice at camp is H.A.L.T., a simple check-in when making choices.  Am I physically, spiritually, or emotionally Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired?  The exercise acknowledges that if any one of those centers is out of balance, we are more likely to believe the lies and make choices that damage ourselves and others.  

We are not Jesus and praise Jesus for that!  Yet his faithfulness is a model for us as we face the daily temptations of life.  There is power in knowing we follow a God who understands what it is to feel hungry, angry, lonely and tired and still refuses to turn away from us. 

As we enter into this season of Lent, may we draw from the courage of Jesus and, when we are tempted to believe the lies around and within, check in with ourselves and with God.  May our lives reflect the faithfulness of our Creator.

Action: This week, set your alarm for every few hours.  When it goes off, take a moment to H.A.L.T. and figure out what you need to rebalance.  And then pause to check in with God.

Prayer: Jesus, you are our hope and our path.  You refuse to turn away from us, even when we turn from you.  Give me the courage to rest in your love today and everyday.  In your name, Amen. 

Pastor Danielle Miller (she/her/ella) 

New York, NY 

Current Pinecrest Director (Previously Faculty & Assistant Director)

2009 - Present