Luke 4: Consecration and Holiness
Scripture
Luke 4:1–13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
Scripture Reflection
As Lent begins, we follow Jesus into the wilderness. Before His public ministry exploded in power, He was tested in private. The Spirit led Him into the desert for forty days, a season of deep consecration and holiness. There, stripped of comfort and distraction, Jesus demonstrated what it means to trust the Father fully, resist temptation, and quote scripture to the Devil.
Lent invites us into that same journey: a wilderness of sorts, where we confront our idols, renounce our illusions, and return to the simplicity of worshiping and serving God alone. Revival does not spring from comfort; it is born in consecrated hearts, hearts that refuse to bow to lesser gods or feed on cheap substitutes.
In every season of renewal, God raises up people who have walked through their own wilderness and emerged more faithful, more surrendered, more set apart. We need that again — a holy people, willing to fast from the world’s offerings, who feast instead on every word that comes from God.
As we enter Lent, may God teach us to stand where Jesus stood, choosing faithfulness in secret so that we might shine in public for His glory.
Praying it UP / IN / OUT
UP: Worship Jesus as the sinless One, who triumphed over temptation and perfectly fulfilled His Father’s will. Praise Him for showing us how to live in wholehearted consecration.
IN: Invite the Holy Spirit to lead you into a personal season of consecration during Lent. Ask for grace to resist temptation, courage to confront your idols, and a heart that treasures holiness.
OUT: Pray for the Church in New England to embrace holiness and set-apartness in this Lenten season, becoming a purified vessel ready for revival.
Closing Prayer
Holy and Faithful One,
As You were led into the wilderness, so lead us. Strip away what is false, what is shallow, what is compromised in us. Give us courage to face our own temptations, and strength to overcome by Your Spirit.
Teach us to hunger for every word from the mouth of God. Train our hearts to worship You alone, to serve You alone, to trust You alone. Consecrate us, Lord, in this season of Lent, that we might be holy as You are holy.
We pray for Your Church to rise with purity and power, tested and proven in secret, ready to bear Your glory in public. Raise up a consecrated people who will say no to lesser loves and yes to You, whatever the cost.
Amen.