North Crestview Campus eLetter
In The Wilderness
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” Matthew 4:1-2 (NIV)
I’ve read Matthew 4:1-2 (NIV) many times. The translation in my head has always gone something like, "Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and nights, fasted, and was tempted by the devil." That is not accurate, though, and it didn’t occur to me until just recently. Jesus… was led… by the Spirit.
I don’t know about you, but I am not the wilderness type. Nothing about tents, bugs, or long walks in the woods sounds appealing to me. I am not going willingly. The profound truth in these verses tells us that even Jesus, the Son of God, was led into the wilderness. It wasn’t an accidental left turn at the sign at the edge of town when it should have been a right. It wasn’t a long-planned vacation. It was intentional direction from the Spirit and an invitation to meet God in the most exposed and defenseless way. Jesus’ forty days of fasting and solitude symbolize a time of preparation. Before He began His public ministry, He faced the wilderness head-on, relying on the Father for strength. His hunger emphasizes His humanity, yet His resolve demonstrates His divinity.
Ash Wednesday (March 5) led us into the season of Lent. Forty days that invite us to walk into a season of wilderness—a time to pause, reflect, and renew our focus on Christ in preparation for Easter. During these forty days, we are reminded of both our humanity and His divinity. It is an opportunity to recognize and empty our lives of all the extras that we have said ‘yes’ to and make greater space for the presence of God.
The wilderness, with its lack of comforts and distractions, often feels desolate. It leaves us vulnerable but provides an opportunity to confront our weaknesses and temptations. Yet, it is in these raw moments that God meets us most intimately. Like the Israelites wandering in the desert or Elijah encountering God in a whisper, our wilderness journeys shape us, teach us, and draw us closer to the One who provides all we need.
I pray now, that even as we feel the pull of the wilderness, we are reminded that God is with us. As we reflect on our humanity, we are reminded that God is our strength. And as our faith is refined, we are reminded that the wilderness is not simply a place of despair but an opportunity to grow closer to the Father.
In Christ,
Casi Krog, Kids Minister
ckrog@crosspoint.church
