Jesus spending 40 days in the desert is one of the most powerful and moving events in Christian culture. This season of fasting and temptation is not only a historical narrative, but timeless truths that still motivate each one of us today. Let’s examine what Jesus’ 40 days in the desert means and the lessons we can apply to our lives from this powerful event.
The Setting of the Desert
Before we get into the lessons from Jesus’ desert experience, it might be helpful to know what was up there. Jesus entered the desert immediately after His baptism in the River Jordan. He was brought there by the Spirit of God. This was Jesus’ preparation for His public ministry. The lonely, arid desert – which is often equated with loneliness and struggle – becomes a place where Jesus endures temptation and tests his resolve.
The Temptations Jesus Faced
Jesus was tempted by the devil during His 40 days in the wilderness. These temptations are traditionally seen as attacks on Jesus’ identity and vocation. The first one wasn’t to do with the hunger for food but about the hunger of turning stones into bread. Satan tempted Jesus to satisfy His hunger mocked with food after fasting for a long time as He was God who performed miracles. But Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
The second time the devil tempted Jesus was when he took Him to the top of the temple and told Him to throw Himself down. This was a test to see if Jesus trusted in God’s care for Him. Once more, Jesus answered with a line from Scripture, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
The third temptation occurred on a high mountain where Satan took Jesus and showed Him all of the kingdom’s of the world saying he would give them to Jesus if He would worship him. Jesus answered, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.”
These temptations were not only trials of Jesus’ power. They were tests of His integrity, His loyalty, and His obedience to God. In Jesus’ reaction to each temptation, there are certain principles for us as we deal with our temptations and remain faithful to God.
Lesson One: The Power of the Word of God
The first lesson of Jesus’ 40 days in the desert is the power of Scripture. Every time Satan tempted Him, Jesus spoke a verse from the Bible. This is teaching us the value of reading and living out His Word. In times of difficulty or temptation, we can look to Scripture for guidance. It keeps us anchored to the truth and guides our decision making according to God’s will.
Lesson 2: Fasting and Self-Discipline
One more note from Jesus’ desert experience, desires have power and people can overcome them by learning how to fast, self-discipline. Jesus fasted for 40 days and though itself does not make someone more “holy” or closer to God, fasting is an essential tool in spiritual growth. Fasting isn’t just about not eating. It’s to learn to trust in the Lord rather than in our earthly desires. In a world where drive-thru’s and microwaves are the norm, fasting is one way to develop patience, perseverance and concentration on our spiritual development.
Lesson 3: The Significance of Obedience.
During His entire 40 day desert sojourn, Jesus was completely obedient to God. He wouldn’t act to satisfy His own wishes, or to succumb to Satan’s temptations. This is a lessons for us in our relationship with God. Even when they are particularly difficult to obey, doing what God tells you should always be our first or second order.
Lesson 4: Resisting Temptation
Then, Jesus’ time in the desert shows us how to resist temptation. We know that temptations are everywhere, but we don’t necessarily have to give in to them! Jesus demonstrates a model of how we overcome temptations by prayer, self-control and being dependent on God’s power. Each time we are inclined to be lured from the path our Heavenly Father has for us, it is a comfort and strength to consider that Jesus Himself was faced with similar temptations and He defeated them.
Lesson 5: Trusting God’s Plan
Lastly, from Jesus’ time in the desert we learn to trust in the plan of God. Satan sought to tempt Jesus away from his mission with shortcuts and door prizes of the world. But Jesus knew God had something greater for Him in mind. He had faith in the time and purpose of God. We need to remember it for us all to trust God’s agenda with our lives even if it happens not according to plan or we struggle with whatever.
Conclusion
If you’re referring to Jesus’ 40 days in the desert, that’s more than the account of temptation and fasting. It’s a strong testimony of my faith, self control and, most importantly that God has me. The temptations that Jesus faced in the desert challenge us even now. Whether it’s quoting a verse to battle against temptation, exercising some self-control or yielding to God’s plan… there’s much we can take away and apply. From Jesus’ sojurn in the desert we know even isolation and struggle, God is with us, molding us for something more.
