Reclaiming Scripture: The First Sunday of Lent and the Fight for Justice

For centuries, biblical scripture has been used as both a tool of liberation and a weapon of oppression. The same texts that speak of love, justice, and mercy have also been twisted to justify slavery, colonialism, misogyny, and the oppression of LGBTQ+ people. Entire communities have been cast into the margins under the false claim that their existence is incompatible with faith.

"Away from me, Satan! Not today! I serve for justice, liberation, and mercy -- not false gods." (Inspired by Matthew 4:10)

Today, we see scripture being weaponized against trans and queer people, used to fuel policies that strip them of rights, dignity, and safety. From bans on gender-affirming care to laws restricting LGBTQ+ books and curriculum, religious rhetoric is often at the center of these attacks. But the truth is, faith has always been a source of strength for the marginalized—and when we look at scripture with justice in mind, we see not condemnation, but a call to resist oppression.

On this First Sunday of Lent, the traditional reading is Matthew 4:1–11, which recounts the Temptation of Christ in the wilderness. It’s a passage about resisting manipulation, standing firm in identity, and rejecting power that comes at the cost of integrity—themes deeply relevant to the struggles for justice today.

Matthew 4:1–11 — Resisting Oppression in the Wilderness

Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, fasting, vulnerable, and alone. The devil tempted Him three times, trying to manipulate Him into proving His worth, abandoning His mission, and seeking power at the expense of truth. Each of these temptations mirrors the struggles faced by marginalized people today.

1. The Temptation to Prove One’s Worth "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." (Matthew 4:3)

   • The devil demands that Jesus prove His divinity. Likewise, trans and queer people are often told they must justify their existence—that they must be "good enough," "palatable enough," or "respectable enough" to deserve basic human rights. But our worth is not up for debate. Jesus refuses to play this game, and so should we.

2. The Temptation to Seek Acceptance through Submission "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down..." (Matthew 4:6)

   • This temptation mirrors the false promise of conditional love that many LGBTQ+ people hear from religious institutions—“We accept you, but only if you suppress who you are.” Jesus refuses to entertain this lie. His response reminds us that true faith is about standing firm in our identity, not seeking approval from those who would harm us.

3. The Temptation to Compromise for Power "All this I will give you," [the devil] said, "if you will bow down and worship me." (Matthew 4:9)

   • This is the temptation of assimilation—to trade truth for comfort, to shrink ourselves for safety. Politicians and religious leaders try to divide marginalized communities, offering security to some if they abandon others. But justice is collective. As Jesus rejects the devil’s offer, we, too, must reject the idea that liberation can come at the cost of another’s oppression.

     
     

In each instance, Jesus resists, choosing faith, integrity, and truth over convenience, approval, or power. This is the call to all who are fighting for justice today: to stand firm, to refuse to be erased, and to resist the forces that seek to dehumanize and oppress.

Reclaiming Scripture for Liberation

Lent is not just about giving things up—it’s about choosing transformation. It’s about rejecting the systems that harm us and stepping into truth, even when the world tries to push us into silence.

For LGBTQ+ people, this means:

• Rejecting the voices that demand we justify our existence.

• Standing firm in our identities, even in the face of opposition.

• Committing to justice for those who are still in the wilderness.

  
  

For allies, this means:

• Resisting apathy. Stand in your faith. Speak up, donate, protest, and fight against laws that strip LGBTQ+ rights.

• Show up for those who are vulnerable. Make sure your churches, workplaces, and communities are truly affirming.

• Challenging harmful theology. The Bible has been used as a weapon against the marginalized and oppressed for far too long—it’s time to reclaim it as a force for justice.

  
  

LGBTQ+ people are pressured to conform to oppressive systems—to shrink themselves for acceptance, to fit neatly into what society deems acceptable. Politicians exploit this by pitting communities against each other—offering false security if certain marginalized groups are left behind. But queer liberation cannot come at the expense of other marginalized people. Freedom is collective.

The Temptation of Christ isn’t just an ancient story—it’s a modern blueprint for how we resist oppression, reclaim our faith, and walk toward liberation. Jesus came out of the wilderness stronger. So will we.

This Lent, let us choose resistance, renewal, and justice.

As above. So below. Amen. Take care of yourselves and take care of each other.