As the world spins out of control during the Lenten season, I plan to prepare myself for the road ahead. The journey before us looks long and arduous, so we must be ready for all the hills and valleys that might stand in our way.
Lent is a 40-day season on the Christian calendar before Easter. It is meant to mimic Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness before beginning his three-year ministry.
For me, it also signifies the weeks before he arrived in Jerusalem, where he was arrested and crucified. More than anyone, Jesus understood the significance of being prepared for difficult moments.
Luke records the moment before Jesus sets out on his ministry: “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished” (4:1-2).
Jesus is following a long prophetic tradition. Any prophet worth their weight in locusts knows before one sets out to call out injustice and corruption, one needs to make sure one’s mind is clear, one’s heart is pure, and one’s soul is strong.
Jesus understood the need to be ready for what lies ahead. Why? This moment comes directly after his baptism.
John, his cousin, had placed a bullseye on his back. John had ruffled the religious and political elites.
His message was built upon the prophet Isaiah’s words: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (40:3-5).
That message got a lot of “Amens,” but what came next did not: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now, the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:7-9).
No one—especially the religious and political elites—liked being called a “brood of vipers.”
When the crowds asked if John was the long-awaited Messiah, he pointed to another: “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire” (Luke 3:15-17).
Then, just like clockwork, Jesus showed up at the Jordan and John baptized him. Jesus knew that having his cousin baptize him would be controversial. John was already a target for the religious and political elites, so John’s endorsement of Jesus would bring him under the same scrutiny.
Jesus knew his ministry and message would be judged, but he would be in good company. Throughout history, when prophets have spoken out for the poor and marginalized, religious and political elites have always tried to silence them.
The next few years would be difficult for Jesus, so he knew he must be prepared. Therefore, he did what all prophets had done before him: He headed to the wilderness to get his mind and heart straight.
After the first few weeks of Donald Trump’s second term and the flurry of activity coming from his administration, people of good faith need to prepare themselves for four years of authoritarian and draconian antics. We need to think more clearly than ever before, ready to counter the craziness and offer a positive, alternative path forward.
We need to exhale all of the hateful and divisive rhetoric seeking to destroy us and replace it with challenging and inspirational thoughts. We do not need to be passive in our preparations, but we must ensure calmness, clarity, and courage.
Jesus portrayed calmness when calling for inclusion and justice. Many admire his outburst at the temple when he overturned tables and drove out thieves, but his calmness when speaking truth to power was unnerving. Calmness communicates confidence and control amid confusion and chaos.
In addition to calmness, Jesus displayed remarkable clarity in his message. When asked to sum up his worldview, Jesus pointed out two truths: love God and love others. These two principles—and you could break them down to one: love—were foundational to everything Jesus taught and did.
As we move forward to an unknown and dark future, we must keep the truth of love at the forefront of everything we say and do. Prophetic voices lacking love devolve into loud gongs and clanging cymbals, more concerned with making noise than being heard.
Finally, wading into troubling waters will take courage. For those feeling isolated and alone, please know there are so many more out here just like you.
We, too, are concerned, angry, and unnerved. However, we, too, are resolved to stand up, speak out, and step forward for justice.
While countering chaos, confusion, and corruption alone can be daunting, together we possess the courage to stand in the face of injustice and demand a better world for everyone. Jesus stood up for the marginalized and oppressed because he held community with God and others. Leaning on the beloved community is essential when delivering a prophetic message.
Lent has arrived, so let’s clear our minds and hearts in preparation for what lies ahead. We will need every ounce of spiritual courage we can muster.
We will also need our colleagues to be courageous alongside us. We will need to place love as our guide, directing us to places of inclusivity and justice, too.
The Lenten season calls all prophets to the frontlines, so let’s prepare for what lies ahead, knowing hope and love can prevail. However, hope and love can only prevail if we come together for the journey before us.
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