A. Specific - "Through the wilderness" might be a theme for this Lent. It begins with the 'temptation' and ends in Gethsemane. Several lectionary passages Old and New Testament deal with the Exodus. The Holy Spirit is leading throughout. It is not escape into a holy realm, but protection enroute to the Promised Land through turmoil. The 'devil' is never more active than in this journey - entering right from the start, leaving 'for a season'.

Consistent with this is Luke's treatment of the Mount of Transfiguration (Lk 9:28-36). See especially v 31, where Moses and Elijah speak with Jesus about "his departure" which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. The Greek for 'departure' is 'exodon'or Exodus. The Lenten journey is a new 'Exodus'.

Preachers can deal this week with temptation in general (i.e, the enigma of evil as part of the human situation. Not even our Savior can escape this. Or, the specific temptations might be faced, with an attempt to find modern parallels. In each case, something that might be good is not the total good.

Providing food is what Christians do. Yet,if we find 'Bread for the World', we can still be full fed and hunger. Linking our view of a Christian society with political power, can deceive both the Christian Right and the Liberal Left. Both can be replete with political shenanigans and bias. There are miracles that dazzle, as Oral Roberts produced and miracles that happen outside the tent enroute to the cross. We preachers often yearn for proof that what we have, or do, or produce has the right stuff. In our better moments, we realize our only right stuff is a relationship with God that takes up the cross 'daily' (9:23) and follows Jesus.

B. Some General Thoughts

T. S.Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral reveals the subtlety of temptation - doing the wrong thing for quite plausible reasons. Read it for 'grist' in you preaching mill.

Here is a sneaky treatment of temptation: A Prayer
"I want to thank you Lord for being with me this day. With your help, I haven't been impatient or lost my temper; been grumpy, judgmental or envious of anyone. But I will be getting out of bed in a minute, and I think I will really need your help then. AMEN"

More generally - The 7 week of Lent will call for repentance repeatedly. Some recent movies that touch on this theme: "As Good As It Gets"; "Amazing Grace"; "Enchanted April"; "Working Girl"; "A Man Named Harvey".