February 23, 2026
Temptation - Part 1
Matthew 4:1-2
02/23/2026
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he
was hungry. (ESV)
We are now in the first full week of the season of Lent.
This last Sunday we prayed:
O Lord God; You led Your ancient people through the
wilderness and brought them to the promised land.
Guide the people of Your Church that following our
Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world
toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus
Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
The story of the Passover and Exodus from Egypt provides the
foundation for the Old Testament, and finds its fulfillment in
the New Testament. God delivers His people. In spite of
temptation, in spite of hardships, God leads His people forward
for their ultimate blessing.
Jesus, called the Lamb of God by John the Baptizer, is the
one who delivers us from sin and death. He did this by
overcoming temptation, by rebuking the devil, and then dying so
that eternal death passes over those who trust in His blood. His
resurrection is the final proof that God has delivered His
people, that our journey through this life ends as we live in our
heavenly Father's mansions.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness
to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty
days and forty nights, he was hungry.
This week we will explore the temptation of Jesus in the
wilderness with our delivery from sin, death, and the power of
the devil.
May our Lord grant you the blessing of peace as we ponder
His grace and love. Amen.