The First Sunday in Lent
February 22, 2026
Read: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
As I reflect on this passage today, January 16, I know that when I read this printed on February 22, we will be on the fifth day of our Lenten journey together. I traditionally embrace a Lenten sacrifice into my life as a daily reminder of Christ’s sacrifice for me. This year, my Lenten sacrifice will be abstaining from desserts and sweet treats.
Perhaps there is no more difficult place of employment in America to have a 40-day abstention from sugar-infested bites of goodness than Huntingdon College. There is a basket of honey buns in the conference room directly across the hall from me. My colleague, Sherry, regularly brings around the most decadent apricot cake she makes. There are four tubs of ice cream available in the Huntingdon College dining hall available at every lunch and dinner, and we’re talking about the good stuff like moose tracks and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. Plus, we have the great tempter of all — the dessert bar — home of Miss Christina’s homemade larger-than-a-plate cookies and regular servings of chocolate chip bread pudding. I will truly be surrounded by Lenten sacrifice temptation for 40 days.
What’s your Lenten sacrifice?
This story in Matthew describes Jesus being led into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the devil. The first enticement Satan offers Jesus is bread after Jesus has fasted for 40 days. Knowing what I will be giving up for Lent, I know that I will be clinging to Jesus’s words in Matthew 4:4 the day this is published and for the following 35 days. Jesus says to Satan, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In this text, Jesus demonstrates for us obedience, resistance, and the power scripture plays in our spiritual disciplines. Jesus further admonishes Satan to refrain from testing God and to worship Him only.
Jesus’s responses to Satan provide us with a road map to overcome not only the temptations of our Lenten sacrifices, but all the temptations that consume us. Many find the practice of memorizing scripture to be a helpful exercise when they are intentionally fighting sin and seeking to grow closer in their relationship to God. Paul’s words to the church in Corinth are especially useful to those seeking to avoid a particular temptation in their life. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man, and God is faithful;” 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us, “he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
So, if you see me this Lenten season in the Huntingdon dining hall, know that I’m channeling the power of God to avoid the temptation provided to me by the dessert bar. Don’t show me the daily cookie!
Prayer:
Lord, we praise you for the example of Jesus, who overcame the temptations of the devil in the wilderness. We confess that we have fallen short of your standard and have succumbed to sin in our lives. We love you and seek to be more Christ-like in our daily lives and in our avoidance of temptations and sin. Give us strength to be obedient to you and to remember your words to resist the sins and temptations we seek to avoid. Amen.
Dr. Anthony Leigh is the 15th President of Huntingdon College
