In our Lent groups this year I invite you to spend some time with Stanley Spencer’s series of Wilderness paintings. There are eight completed works, though Spencer prepared sketches of 40, one for each day of Lent.

Spencer started this series ( 1939) at a time of great turbulence in his own life, not only had he separated from his beloved wife, Hilda but he had become entangled in a loveless relationship with another woman. Professionally he was out of favour as a result of a series of erotic paintings that were not well received. He was forced to move away from his home in Cookham to a small flat in London cut off from friends and family.

The looming war brought back to him the traumas of his own experience in the first world war in which he had served both as a medical orderly and a rifleman in the Berkshire regiment. The painting is set against the barren landscape of Salonika where he fought, recalling the wilderness in Judea where Jesus was tried and tested in preparation for his mission.

‘Driven by the Spirit’

The first in the series ‘Driven by the Spirit’ takes us to the moment captured by Matthew and Mark in their gospel accounts. Mark uses strong language here, whereas Matthew says Jesus is led by the Spirit Mark tells us he is ‘Driven’. Maybe Spencer thought that the word driven reflected better his own experience as an outcast, but it is more than the storms of life that drive Jesus in this painting.

Jesus is pictured clutching at the branches for support but there is no wind in the trees instead his feet are planted firmly on the ground and his eyes are fixed at the far distance looking at his destination. He has set out on this journey into the desert with the knowledge of his Father’s love, but knowing that he was to be tried and tested, he is resolute in facing the future. In the silence of the wilderness, he will listen to his Father’s voice guiding him in his mission.

This is no pale, pious nor divine figure, but a bulky, bearded man grounded in life’s experiences in a divine way. He has come to show humanity how to live in the midst of testing and trials in a life-giving way.

Matthew 4:1 - 11

In our reading today Matthew gives us a glimpse of Jesus under pressure. We are reminded that he was very human, as the writer to the Hebrews tells us:

‘We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin’

Hebrews 4: 15.

In fact, the writer goes further and tells us that it was through testing that Jesus learned obedience and became perfect.

‘Although he was a Son he learned obedience from what he suffered and once made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.’ Hebrew 5: 8/9.

How encouraging for us as we face the daily trials and temptations of life. The passage we read today was only a foretaste of what Jesus was to go through in his life but it proved one thing, he was confident of the love of his father God that would sustain him through the turbulent years of his ministry.

“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3: 17.

This was the relationship that was the bedrock of his life, through all the ups and downs and even in the last dying moments of his life he knew he could rely on God’s love for him. The relationship was tested and tried to the limit but God never failed him or forsook him.

Whether like Jesus we are tested to doubt God’s love in times of hardship, danger, or prosperity God’s love remains constant, a reminder that even when we fail, he will not fail us. We may sink or shine under pressure, but in all the ups and downs of life, we know that ‘Underneath are the everlasting arms of God. Through trials and tests, we will have the chance to grow in grace and strength. Like Stanley Spencer, we can turn our trials into works of art.

Rev. Simon Brignall

Rory Young passed away peacefully last Thursday morning. He lived his life to the last full of the energy and enthusiasm that inspired his work as an artist and friend to many.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

We continue in prayer for Ray and give thanks for the recovery of Tim and Ceri.

Prayer for Ukraine

God of peace and justice

we pray for the people of Ukraine today,

and the laying down of weapons.

we pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,

that your spirit of comfort would draw near to them.

We pray for those with power over war and peace,

for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions

Above all, we pray for all your precious children at risk and in fear,

That you would hold and protect them.

We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen

I am contactable from Thursday to Sunday.