Christians who observe the season of Lent customarily begin their itinerary with the account of Christ’s temptation in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1–11). Having been proclaimed the Father’s Beloved Son at the time of his baptism, Jesus is compelled by the Holy Spirit into a place of solitude. After forty days of prayer and fasting he is tempted by the devil. First, he is tempted to turn stones into bread to satisfy his hunger and to prove he is the Messiah; then, he is tempted to cast himself down from the pinnacle of the temple to test God’s care for him; finally, he is tempted by power – the offer of all the world’s kingdoms if only he will worship the devil.

On the first Sunday of Lent, we remember how the devil tempted Christ, and how Christ foiled him.