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First Sunday of Lent
Genesis 9: 8
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15
Psalm 25: 4
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5, 6
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7, 8
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9
1 Peter 3: 18
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22
Mark 1: 12
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15
S
UMMARY
In Deuteronomy we read about God rescuing His people from Egypt and
their giving harvest offerings in praise. Psalms reminds us of all God will
do for those who acknowledge Him as Lord. Romans’ says it is by our
faith that we are put right with God and lastly, Luke takes us to the desert
where the devil tempts Jesus.
R
EFLECTION
I was drawn to this particular reading because of a recent visit to an art
gallery. I took a photo of a painting depicting the most stunning image of
Jesus and the devil conversing high on a mountain, overlooking a valley.
Jesus is seated on a boulder
while the devil stands, leaning in
with the rock he wants Jesus to
turn into bread. I imagine Jesus
is physically tired and
weak from being in the
desert. The devil surely
believes he has the up-
per hand.
The desert is lonely,
quiet and without re-
sources. It’s a place
where one is dependent
and vulnerable, but
ironically, it’s also a
place that allows one to
find inner strength and
courage. In the Old
Testament, it’s a place
of testing. Luke’s gos-
pel reading tells of the
Holy Spirit leading Je-
sus into the desert