02/19/2026
ST. MICHAEL M.B. CHURCH
LENT 2026 – BIBLE STUDY (WEEK 1)
“The Wilderness Is Not a Wasted Season”
Matthew 4:1–11 (NKJV)
WHY ARE WE OBSERVING LENT?
Some of us grew up hearing that Ash Wednesday is “a Catholic thing.” Historically, the formal use of ashes has been associated with Catholic and liturgical traditions.
As Baptists, we have not traditionally practiced Ash Wednesday in the same formal way.
But hear this clearly:
• Lent is not owned by one denomination.
• Lent is not Catholic property.
• Lent is not ritual for ritual’s sake.
Lent is a 40-day season leading up to Resurrection Sunday where believers intentionally prepare their hearts for the Cross and the empty tomb.
The ashes are symbolic.
The discipline is biblical.
The structure is historical.
The surrender is scriptural.
Fasting? Biblical.
Repentance? Biblical.
Consecration? Biblical.
Preparation before breakthrough? Biblical.
Moses fasted.
Elijah fasted.
Jesus fasted.
We are not becoming liturgical.
We are becoming intentional.
This is not about ashes on our forehead.
This is about alignment in our hearts.
Lent gives us a structured season to practice what Scripture already commands.
If 2026 is the year we grow together…
Then this 40-day wilderness is not optional.
It is opportunity.
1. OPENING REFLECTION & MINISTRY CONNECTION
Sunday we declared:
Before we rise… we must return.
Our 2026 theme is:
“It’s Time to Grow… Together.”
But growth does not happen in comfort.
Growth happens in wilderness.
If we misunderstand the wilderness, we resent it.
If we understand it, we grow through it.
2. SCRIPTURE & CENTRAL THEME
Matthew 4:1–11
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness…”
Central Theme:
The Spirit sometimes leads us into places that test us — not to destroy us, but to develop us.
3. CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS
Historical Context
• Matthew presents Jesus as Messiah.
• Immediately before this text:
• Jesus is baptized.
• The Father affirms: “This is My beloved Son.”
Affirmation is followed by isolation.
Geographical Context
The Judean wilderness was:
• Barren
• Rocky
• Dry
• Dangerous
It represents:
• Testing
• Dependence
• Exposure
Socio-Spiritual Context
Israel failed in the wilderness for 40 years.
Jesus succeeds in the wilderness in 40 days.
Jesus relives Israel’s story — and redeems it.
4. THE TENSION IN THE TEXT
Narrative Tension
Why would the Spirit lead Jesus into temptation?
God will not tempt you (James 1:13).
But He will allow testing to refine you.
The wilderness was not satanic strategy.
It was divine sovereignty.
Verse 1 – “Led by the Spirit”
Greek: anēchthē – carried up intentionally.
Jesus did not wander into wilderness.
He was led.
Hardship does not always mean you missed God.
Sometimes it means you followed Him.
Verse 2 – “After fasting forty days…”
Forty represents testing and transition:
• 40 years in wilderness
• 40 days of rain (Noah)
• 40 days Moses on Sinai
Fasting exposed physical weakness
but built spiritual strength.
Hunger in the body can produce authority in the spirit.
Temptation 1 – Stones to Bread
• Attack on appetite
• Attack on identity
“If You are the Son of God…”
The enemy questions what God just affirmed.
Jesus responds with Scripture (Deut. 8:3).
If you don’t know the Word, you will negotiate with temptation.
Temptation 2 – Throw Yourself Down
Satan quotes Scripture.
Not all Scripture used is Scripture understood.
Faith is not forcing God to prove Himself.
Faith is trusting what He already declared.
Temptation 3 – Bow Down
Shortcut to power.
No cross. Just crown.
Glory without suffering produces corruption.
Jesus refuses a kingdom without obedience.
5. SUPPORT SCRIPTURES
* Deuteronomy 8:2–3
Wilderness:
• Humbles (‘anah)
• Tests (nasah)
• Reveals the heart
The wilderness is diagnostic.
Lent is a controlled wilderness.
* James 1:2–4
Trials (peirasmos):
• Testing strengthens
• Temptation seduces
Trials produce hupomonē (endurance).
If you avoid testing, you avoid maturity.
* Hebrews 4:15
Jesus was tempted (pepeirasmenon — tested with lasting impact).
He felt hunger.
He felt pressure.
He felt isolation.
He understands your wilderness.
The Cross is embodied solidarity.
* Isaiah 43:2
Not “if” you pass through.
“When.”
The promise is not removal.
The promise is presence.
God delivers through.
* Luke 4:14
Jesus returned in dunamis (power).
Public power is birthed in private discipline.
If you quit the wilderness too soon, you abort the power it was producing.
LIBERATION THREAD
• Deuteronomy — Wilderness exposes the heart.
• James — Testing builds endurance.
• Hebrews — Christ understands struggle.
• Isaiah — God promises presence.
• Luke — Wilderness produces power.
Lent is covenant rehearsal.
It is structured testing.
It is voluntary wilderness.
Handled correctly — it produces spiritual authority.
WHAT IS YOUR WILDERNESS?
Is it:
• Financial strain?
• Emotional stretching?
• Spiritual dryness?
• Leadership pressure?
Stop asking, “Why am I here?”
Start asking, “What is this producing?”
The wilderness:
• Reveals identity
• Strengthens discipline
• Clarifies dependence
• Builds authority
Lent is structured wilderness.
We choose discipline
so God can build authority.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Where do I feel spiritually tested?
2. What appetite is God exposing?
3. How can fasting strengthen my discipline?
4. What Scripture must I stand on this season?
REFLECTIVE PRAYER
Lord,
If this wilderness is from You,
do not remove it before it finishes its work.
Strengthen us in it.
Grow us through it.
Discipline our desires.
Root us in Your Word.
And when this season is complete,
let us come out in power.
Amen.
