What Is Lent (Anyway)? - Part 4

Since Lent commemorates Jesus fasting in the desert for 40 days, it leaves us with the question, why did Jesus do this?  Matthew (4) tells us that immediately following His baptism, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  Before starting his public ministry, Jesus went to face a spiritual battle with our great adversary, Satan – a sort of clash of the titans.  (The wilderness location hearkens back to the 40 years Israel spent in the wilderness being prepared to enter the promised land.)

Often in Scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments, in critical moments, often in the midst of spiritual warfare, men of God, the people of God, and sometimes even pagans, fast to overcome their enemies, to avert judgment, or to bring about God’s will.  Fasting can help clear the mind to better focus on spiritual matters.

Matthew tells us the devil came to Jesus on the last day of the fast, when Jesus was hungry.  Perhaps Lucifer thought Jesus was at his weakest.  However, Jesus was strong and resisted each temptation presented.  While Matthew simply says the devil left Him, Luke records the devil left Him until an opportune time, meaning Satan would return another day.  Upon overcoming this initial battle, Jesus then entered into his public ministry.

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