Words of Reflection
The temptation of Jesus comes after his baptism and the declaration from God: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:17, NRSV) Mark even goes so far as to say that this happens “immediately” after Christ’s baptism, implying there might be a connection between the two stories.
And, of course, there is. Both Christ’s baptism and his temptation are fundamentally about his identity as God’s Beloved Son. No sooner had God made the dramatic pronouncement than Jesus finds himself led into the wilderness by the Spirit, where that identity will be put to the test.
“If you are the Son of God,” the enemy begins. The first test is about a basic human need: hunger, which Jesus feels keenly after a long fast. He’s being asked to put on a show, a demonstration of his divine power. But more than that, Jesus is being asked to rely on his miraculous abilities above God’s provision. His trust in his heavenly Father is being challenged, and by extension his identity as the Beloved Son.
Jesus’ reply to the tempter reveals that his trust in God has not, and will not be broken. The child of God will never be forsaken. God provides, and God nourishes in ways beyond human understanding. Christ’s identity is secure, and his reliance on God is steadfast.
As you and I make our Lenten journey, we, too, will face tests and temptations, and many of those will also challenge our identity. While we are not God’s “only Begotten,” Scripture tells us that “…in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” (Gal. 3:26, NRSV) But there will be times when we will be tempted to believe otherwise. There will be times when whispered lies tell us we’ve been forsaken, and that we are not the children we thought we were. There will be voices that tell you the only person you can rely on…is yourself.
Don’t believe those voices. Look to Jesus in the wilderness, and more than that—look to Jesus on the cross, the demonstration of both God’s love and God’s provision. Look and remember: the child of God will never be forsaken. God provides, and God nourishes in ways beyond human understanding. Your identity in Christ is secure. You can rely on him.
You are a child of God.
Scripture for Meditation:
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
—Romans 8:14-17 (NRSV)
Song: Child of God
With ev’ry breath with ev’ry thought
From what is seen to the deepest part
I offer all that I've come to be
To know Your love fathering meFather You're all I need
My soul's sufficiency
My strength when I am weak
The love that carries me
Your arms enfold me till I am only
A child of GodWith ev’ry step on this journey's walk
And wisdom's songs that the soul has sought
I give myself unreservedly
To know Your love fathering me
Kathryn Scott
© 1999 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire)
Questions for Contemplation:
What does it mean for you to be known as a “child of God?” What strengthens your understanding of that identity? What tempts you to doubt it?
Paul says that our understanding of our identity as God’s children is a work of the Holy Spirit. How have you sensed the Spirit “bearing witness” to you that you are a child of God? How might you find ways to open yourself to that witness more during this Lenten journey?
Even in the wilderness, Jesus found his sufficiency in God alone. In your own wilderness seasons, how has God shown himself trustworthy? How has he shown himself strong when you are weak? How has he carried you? Spend some time in grateful prayer and worship for this powerful way God reminds us we are his children.