“THE WILDERNESS” IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLEGROUND

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

"THE WILDERNESS" (Matthew 4:1) IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLEGROUND

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ "was led up by the Spirit into the WILDERNESS to be tempted by the devil. And when He had FASTED FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS, afterward He was hungry" (Matthew 4:1-2). To be "tempted" is to be tested in fundamental areas of faith. As in Mark, the "Spirit" leads, or "throws," Jesus into "the wilderness" after His baptism at the River Jordan to be tested by a struggle with "the devil." We who are baptized into Him need NOT be defeated when temptations come along because, like our Lord and Savior Christ, we are aided by the Holy Spirit. The "wilderness" is indeed a battleground, a picture of the world, at once the dwelling of demons and a Source of Divine Tranquility and contemplation.

Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ reverses ancient Israel’s dallying with temptation in the "wilderness." The ancient Israelites were tested FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, during which they were disloyal and disobedient. So the Almighty God humbled them by letting them go hungry, then feeding them with MANNA, all to help them realize their dependency upon Him (Deuteronomy 8:2-3). Jesus is tested with hunger for 40 days and nights, but He does not sin. Jesus "FASTED" to overcome temptation, giving us an example of our own power and our limitations. The hunger of His flesh DOES NOT CONTROL HIM; rather, He controls His flesh. Jesus’ fasting "forty days" IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR CHURCH’S FORTY-DAY LENTEN OBSERVANCE BEFORE HOLY AND GREAT WEEK. It is a spiritual preparation for the PASSION and RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

The number 40 symbolizes a s40thacred period of preparation, purification and, or temptation (trial), rooted in Holy Scripture. Prophet Moses fasted for 40 days on Mount Sinai. Israelites wandered for 40 years in the wilderness. Our Lord Jesus Christ fasted 40 days in the wilderness and He appeared to His Disciples for 40 days after His Resurrection. Our Holy Church in the very beginning blessed the number 40, as a specially significant number: such as, the Fortieth day after birth, the Fortieth day after death, the forty day repentance, and, finally established the 40-day Fast, Lent. The number 40 was pointed out and determined by God Himself, and was revealed from above as THE APPOINTED MEASURE OF FULFILLMENT OF SOME ASCETICAL FEATS AND EVEN THE PREOCCUPATIONS IN THE LIFE OF THE FOREFATHERS, THE PROPHETS. At all times, from the beginning of the world, the term of repentance and correction of sinners was usually determined by the number of forty days, and sometimes even by a year (Genesis 6:4-16; Acts 7:22-36; Exodus 34:28; 3 Kings 19:8; Ezekiel 4:6). Our Savior Himself, fulfilling the Law, is brought into the Temple on the 40th day,

The world for Christians in general is a spiritual desert, a wasteland and a wilderness constantly tempted by the evil one and his demons. Those Christians who are vigilant and alert are able to testify on the rampant wickedness taking place throughout the world and its catastrophic results. Orthodox Christians living "in the world" treat daily life as a spiritual testing ground, a battleground or "wilderness." The Holy Church in the middle of this wilderness serves as an "oasis," a place of safety, the Ark of salvation, and a holy temple where the believes will find spiritual nourishment "the Bread of Life," the Holy Eucharist, the Sacred Body and Precious Blood of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. However, we are reminded by traditional hermits and ascetics who sought physical deserts (like the Judean wilderness) to escape temptations, and to build an inner refuge to our hearts.

Orthodox theology views Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection as the ultimate Victory, wherein He breaks Satan’s tyranny, destroys the power of death, and descends into Hades to release captives. Satan is considered a defeated adversary and enemy stripped of his authority over humanity, although he remains a tempter to be fought through faith, prayer and sacramental life. Therefore the evil one may be able to tempt people but cannot compel them to commit sin, rebel against his/her Savior or to be disobedient to God. However, Orthodox Christians are called to engage in spiritual warfare, relying on Our Lord’s Victory through the sign of the Cross, prayer and the Mysteria (i.e., baptism, confession/repentance, fasting, and Holy Communion). Also, according to the Orthodox Faith, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the Supreme Exorcist, and the Church continues this practice, fighting to banish sin and evil from the lives of the faithful.

The Christian man or woman ought to give their entire attention, time, and adoration to our Lord Jesus Christ only. Our whole life should revolve around Him, His Gospel and His commandments. Our devotion must be authentic and true and give glory to His Name. We, too, are His disciples and followers,and, as all those believers over the many centuries, to be loyal and serve Him with dignity, honesty, and devotion. When the Orthodox Christian makes the sign of the Cross, he/she invites the grace of the Holy Cross to bless you, to protect you, to guide you, to strengthen your faith, and to lead you on the path to salvation. Psalm 16:11 states, "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy." And Psalm 17 celebrates the victory of David which is fulfilled in the Victory of our Lord Christ over death and hell. It is most urgent that no one believer wanders off in the vastness of the wilderness and desolate desert. No one should lose his/her direction and the only objective in life is to follow Christ the Savior and King of kings faithfully.

Holy and Great Lent is there to remind us all of our Divine Creator, and to taste hunger, thirst, suffering, yearning, and to feel the presence of God Who is always with us. What kind of a world, what kind of life, and what kind of future would humanity have, if there was no God, no Savior, no Eternity, no Kingdom of Heaven? It would literally be hell on earth. There would be no hope, no light, no agape, no forgiveness, no paradise, and of course, there would be no Savior to save mankind from sin, evil, and death. Holy Lent is our personal encounter with our Savior Himself. He awaits at the door of our heart and knocks to let Him enter. Will you open the door for Him?

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
+ Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George