Lent: Rupture and Repair

Our lives and even our history exhibit patterns of rupture and repair. Disruptions to life are inevitable, but that doesn't make them any less painful to endure, nor the realization of our own frailty any easier to bear. However, in Scripture we see that Jesus is a Savior who deeply understands humanity's weakness, suffering, and despair - his own ministry began with trial and temptation in the wilderness, and culminated in being crucified. Counter-culturally, it's the depths of our humanity and struggle that God calls us towards. These places of rupture are reminders that God created us for a higher purpose, to experience redemption in our deepest wounds and grow in tenderness, such that we could become beacons of His love to the world. 

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Scripture: Matt 4:1-11

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a] by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[b]”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’^[c]”

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’^[d]”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’^[e]”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.