Sermon: February 22, 2026

Reading: Matthew 4:1-11

In the wilderness, Jesus is tempted not just to turn stones into bread or to grasp power, but to forget who he is, the Beloved.

The Gospel reminds us that these temptations are not distant from our lives. We know the pull toward comfort, the fear that makes us rely only on ourselves, and the pressure to measure our worth by success or approval. And more often than not, temptation isn’t dramatic; it’s a quiet whisper that slowly pulls us away from trusting in God.

We all encounter wilderness seasons, times of uncertainty, loss, or searching, moments when life feels quiet, disorienting, or lonely. Yet it is often there that we discover God’s presence in ways we might never notice when life feels settled and predictable.

The good news is that the same voice that spoke over Jesus at his baptism still speaks today, reminding us that we are beloved, not because we have earned it, not because we have proven anything, but because God’s love for us does not change. 

As we walk this Lenten journey together with Christ, may we learn again to trust that truth and rediscover who we are and whose we are: God’s beloved children.