Alone in the wilderness,
Jesus beat his body
into submission
with a fast, a cleanse creating
more inner space for spirit
to saturate the walls
of his being
bringing more holy focus
to his divine mind—
the purpose Lent
manifested to perfection.
Forty days alone
and famished from fasting
Jesus danced on the edge of delirium
and Satan thought the moment
a timely opportunity
for a duel with his enemy
imagining Jesus weak enough
to fold at any hell-born suggestion.
Turn these stones to bread, he said.
Throw yourself down
from this temple, he said.
Fall down and worship me,
he said. But Satan discounted
the mental dexterity
of our advocate’s mind
the strength of his spirit
the sharpness of his holy sword.
It is written, said Jesus.
Man shall not live by bread alone
but by every word
from the mouth of God, he said.
Don’t put the Lord to the test.
Worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.
Satan had failed to understand
before the duel ever began
the fix was in.
The Bread of Life had already won.
And because he did
so have we.
Matthew 4:1–11