In the Lutheran Church, as with other liturgical churches, we are now in the Church season of Lent. Traditionally, one of the important Bible readings for Lent is Jesus’ baptism and temptation in the wilderness, as recorded in the first chapel of Mark’s gospel: 

“One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.” (Mk.1:9-13). 

The first thing we read is that Jesus is baptised. Baptism is the place where God meets us with his love and calls us to “follow him”. After he is baptised, Jesus is called by the Spirit into the wilderness alone. This is a reminder that, no matter who we are and how good our lives might be at the moment there will be times when we will have to wander alone in our own wilderness. Perhaps you’ve experienced this. Perhaps you haven’t. Either way, be aware that someday life will lead you into dry and lonely places. 

Lent is a time to take up the challenge of the wilderness, to let the Spirit guide you through the trials, to make you a better and stronger person. Traditionally, the three things that help us during Lent are to pray, to fast, and to give alms. 

To pray is simply to raise your mind and heart to God. Now, perhaps you don’t know God or have a relationship with him. Perhaps you don’t even know if he really exists. Either way, this is my encouragement to you – during this Lenten time take up the challenge to talk to God. Ask him to reveal himself and his will to you. If you’re not sure what words to use, use the words of the Lord’s Prayer, or perhaps the Jesus’ Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Pray it over and over again. And then… expect an answer because God has promised that he will. If you pray each day during Lent, your life will change. 

Secondly, fasting. Now please know that we Lutherans are not Puritans. We love food and drink and pleasure and all of the good things of life. We don’t fast because those things are bad, but because we want to make sure that we don’t let these good things take control of us and thereby turn into bad things. 

For any good thing can become a bad habit if we don’t learn to discipline ourselves. Food is great, but gluttony is not. Medicine is good, but drug addiction is not. Social media is a wonderful blessing, but when we can’t stop ourselves from being on our phones all the time, then we have lost control of ourselves and turned this good thing into an obsession. 

Fasting helps to control and limit and put into proper place these sometimes too insistent desires. By fasting from some pleasures, we allow within ourselves the deeper hungers of our heart to emerge – the hunger for joy, for love, for truth, for God. That’s what Jesus meant when he said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled”. 

Thirdly, we give alms (or charity). Alms are not just our money, but anything we have that can be used for the good of others, and especially the poor. In a way this is the most important aspect of Lent because to give alms is simply in a concrete way, to express love. It forces us to see others in need and to help in whatever way we can. Perhaps it is in giving money to the poor. Perhaps it’s helping someone in need. Ask yourself: what am I doing concretely to help the people around me who need my help? Consider doing that this Lent. 

Finally, know that while you engage in such works of love, like Jesus in the wilderness, you will be tempted to give up. You will be tempted to stop praying. You will be tempted to break your fast and let the pleasure overrule and control you rather than the other way around. You will be tempted to keep your money, your goods, and your works only for yourself. 

Temptation is a very human thing, and we can’t resist all by ourselves. Even Jesus had the angels attending to him during his trials in the desert. Know and be assured that God is there also for you in your wilderness wanders and temptations. His angels are real, ministering spirits whose task is to help and sustain us, especially in our various trials. And when you fall – as we all do – remember that God’s forgiveness is always, always there, if we want it, if we ask for it. 

We are not on our own, and Lent is a good time to be reminded of that. So, consider doing something this Lent – pray, fast, give alms. And God bless you! 

Blessings, Pastor Mark

Please note that on February 23, 2025 we held a closing and thanksgiving service at our Martin Luther worship centre in Altona North as we will no longer be holding regular worship services here. You can view the closing service at Martin Luther in the 2025 Archive of the Listen tab of the website, or on our YouTube channel.

You are most welcome to continue to join us at 9:30am, each, and every Sunday , for worship at our St Philips worship centre in Tarneit.