Week 4 – Lent series 2026
Lent, Stories | March 11, 2026
This week we invite you to join Simione Bula, CBM Australia’s Pacific Program Coordinator, as he reflects on Matthew 4:1-11, where Jesus is tempted in the wilderness.
Simione recounts that “only Truth will correct misconception and deception”, and reminds us that, just as Jesus confronted lies with truth, our work in disability inclusion requires the same posture.
“In Mathew Chapter 4, Jesus was in the wilderness and got tempted by the devil. The devil tried to use its tools of deception to influence Jesus Christ from breaking its fast and be diverted from the truth about God.
The conversation between Jesus and the tempter from verse 3 to 11 stated the tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become Bread.”
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said “throw yourself down. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone,’”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the Test.’”
Again, the Devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me. Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
For Simione, Matthew 4 teaches us that truth is the only answer to misinformation. In his work, Simione recalls that CBM and our partners face misconceptions and misinformation about people with disabilities, attitudes prevalent throughout our societies that create barriers far deeper than physical ones. Jesus demonstrated confidence, clarity, and integrity because He lived the truth of who He was.
Likewise, the truth about disability is best represented by people with disabilities themselves, their lived experiences correcting harmful assumptions and guiding authentic, systemic change.
This Lent, may we be people who seek, speak, and live truth with humility and courage.
https://www.cbm.org.au/lent/week-4-lent-series-2026
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