Looking for a time of reflection that invites you into a deeper understanding of the Lord’s sacrifice and devotion? This is the point of Lent, a 40-day journey meant to mirror Jesus’ wilderness experience. For many of us, Lent seems like a short time to give up chocolate or coffee, but it can be much, much more.
By asking and exploring, “What did Jesus do during Lent?” we can honor His journey by drawing closer to the heart of our faith.
Lent can then be about following in Jesus’s footsteps. We can reflect on His trials, connection with the Holy Spirit, ministry, and monumental sacrifice.
Just as Jesus took time for solitude and reflection, we, too, must care for our spiritual and physical well-being during Lent. Here’s a guide to help you find balance.
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The Origin of Lent
The 40 days before Easter, Lent rests deeply in its biblical roots.
It traces back to Jesus’ spiritual journey in the wilderness. This time has held significant importance for centuries, mirroring Jesus’ preparation before His public ministry began.
After John baptized Jesus at the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-16), the Bible says Jesus immediately entered the wilderness. He was led by the Spirit to be tempted (Matthew 4:1).
The origin of Lent is an observation of obedience and purification.
Now, Lent prepares believers for the resurrection of Jesus, which is celebrated on Easter Sunday.
With each day of Lent, we are invited to meditate and study the Bible to gain a deeper understanding of Jesus’ life and immense sacrifice.
This period isn’t just a recall of historical faith practices. It can be an annual journey to draw us closer to Jesus through the lessons of His 40-day sojourn.
Jesus in the Desert: The 40-Day Fast
Think about stepping into Jesus’ sandals, going 40 days without food or comfort, and facing the harsh wilderness.
We must understand that this wasn’t just about the absence of food. Instead, it was a profound spiritual journey, a preparation for His ministry, which would ultimately change the world.
Jesus faced extreme physical and spiritual challenges. He fasted in the desert and fully embraced human frailty and dependence on the Father.
Temptations also marked this time. Satan tested him, yet His resolve remained unshaken.
The fast wasn’t merely a test of endurance.
Instead, it was a sign of Jesus’s commitment to fulfill His mission. Thereupon, this set a precedent for us to reflect on our spiritual discipline and growth during the season of Lent.
Temptations Faced by Jesus
Diving deep into the 40 days in the wilderness brings us face to face with the temptations he faced, lobbied by Satan himself.
Think about how, after fasting, in a state of physical and emotional weakness, you are confronted with temptations that challenge not just your physical hunger but your very mission and trust in God.
Here, Jesus stands as a firm figure of spiritual discipline, countering each temptation with refusal and the powerful truths of Scripture.
It’s inspiring and humbling.
There have been temptations in my life that I’ve overcome through my faith. I also recall giving in to temptations because I failed to call on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Even in the moments of His immense vulnerability, Jesus used the Word to reaffirm his love and obedience to God the Father. Simultaneously, He steers clear of sinning and sets an unparalleled example for us.
He didn’t simply refuse Satan. Jesus illuminated the path of righteousness for all who seek peace and salvation through his teachings.
Lenten Practices Today: Following Jesus’ Example
To find meaning in what Jesus did during Lent, we can embrace its depth through contemplation and prayer, just as Jesus did during His 40-day sojourn in the wilderness.
This time of preparation is vital for spiritual formation. It draws you closer to the Lord and helps you reflect on Jesus’s experience and struggle.
During this period—commemorated from Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) to Easter Sunday—you’re urged to participate in practices like fasting and meditation, paralleling Jesus’ preparation journey for His ministry.
I encourage you to adopt a spiritual discipline for the season. You may even choose to extend your activities afterward.
List of Spiritual Disciplines to Make Lent Meaningful
Some of these activities are common practice.
You may know them as part of weekly church services or special annual church services (like using palm crosses). Other Lenten activity ideas are private and deeply personal and can deepen your insight and connection with God.
Whatever you choose, this season moves us to a new life of righteousness and closeness with the Lord, illuminated by the resurrection of Jesus Christ—our only way to eternal life.
- Worship
- Scripture reading
- Bible study
- Attend church services
- Confession
- Fellowship
- Silence
- Solitude
- Meditation
- Service
- Evangelism
- Stewardship
- Benevolence
- Fasting
- Taking care of yourself like a temple
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The Theological Significance of Jesus’ Lenten Journey
Consider when you were in a situation with nothing but faith to nurture your soul.
This was Jesus’ reality during Lent, laying the groundwork for His monumental sacrifice. This journey wasn’t just about physical deprivation.
In contrast, it was a spiritual preparation, a symbol of purification, and an act of obedience. This resonates with our Lenten observance today.
Jesus faced temptations that offered Him the world’s kingdoms. Yet, He stood steadfast.
He teaches the invaluable lesson that our journey toward spiritual evolvement and connection with the Holy Spirit transcends earthly desires.
This act foreshadowed His ultimate sacrifice—Jesus bearing the sins of the world on the cross.
Through fasting, prayer, and overcoming temptations, Jesus exemplified how we might strive for a closer relationship with God, laying a path toward resurrection Sunday for our salvation.
His journey invites us into a season of deep reflection, encouraging us to embrace self-denial and spiritual discipline as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’s resurrection, the only way to new life.
A Time of Reflection
As we walk through the season of Lent, we are invited to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, engaging in practices that echo His 40-day fasting and prayer in the wilderness. Modern Lenten observances among various denominations take inspiration from Jesus’s time of self-denial and spiritual depth.
From Ash Wednesday to Holy Week, including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the joyous Easter celebration, we are reminded of Jesus’s resurrection and the offering of new life when we declare the resurrected Jesus is one and our only savior.
Lent is more than a tradition—it’s an opportunity to grow spiritually by reflecting on Jesus’s sacrifice. We employ disciplines such as fasting, prayer, and almsgiving (benevolence) rooted in Christ’s actions.
In observing these practices, we draw closer to the Lord, preparing our hearts to commemorate Jesus’s life, death, and the ultimate victory of eternal life.
A Journey Through Holy Week
Holy Week is a period of spiritual significance marking the final days of Jesus’ life on earth.
This sacred time unfurls from Palm Sunday, witnessing Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem with palm branches heralding His arrival, to the reflective moments of Holy Thursday, where Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples, imparting the eternal gift of the Eucharist.
Good Friday casts a solemn shadow as we commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. He bore the world’s sins to offer us new life through His death.
The culmination of Holy Week, Easter Sunday, bursts forth with joy. It celebrates Resurrection Sunday, when Jesus conquered death and granted us the only way to eternal life.
My journey through Holy Week creates deep gratitude for the immeasurable love and mercy Jesus showed, laying the foundation for my faith.
Embracing the Lessons from the Wilderness
As we end our exploration into the 40 days in the wilderness, we must pause and reflect on the lessons we learn from Christ’s Lenten journey.
Jesus’s deliberate fasting, prayer, and confrontation with temptation give us a historical account and a blueprint for our spiritual fortitude and progress.
Embracing the lessons from the wilderness means recognizing that, like Jesus, we can overcome our battles through faith and discipline.
This might look like carving out moments for prayer and intentionality in your everyday life, mirroring Jesus’ commitment to spiritual connectedness.
It may be acknowledging our temptations, whether related to the lures of modern-day social media, fast food, or the more personal battles against our sins. Jesus’s resilience reminds us that He is the path to eternal life.
This Lenten season, as we recount Jesus’s journey from the desert to the Resurrection on Easter, let’s challenge ourselves to adopt a part of His discipline.
Whether through fasting, generous giving, or dedicating time to more deeply understanding the truths and the Ten Commandments in Scripture, let’s use this prep time to foster a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit.
As we reflect on Jesus’s death and celebrate His resurrection, let’s remember the new life His sacrifice has granted us and strive to live in a way that honors that precious gift.
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Related Posts:
3 Life-Changing Reasons to Extend Your Lenten Activities
Fresh Lent Ideas for a Meaningful Lenten Season
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