The lectionary readings for March 5, the second Sunday in Lent, emphasize the importance of faith that trusts the promises of God. Scripture describes repentance as having two parts- 1) contrition or sorrow (might also include fear) for failing to obey God and offending Him (the Law); and 2) faith that believes God’s promises of forgiveness through the merits and sacrificial works of Jesus (the gospel). Repentance is about more than turning away from sinful desire. If that were all, we would either be stuck in a rut of guilt and despair, or arrogantly conclude that we have the ability to resolve our sin problem. Instead, repentance also involves turning to Jesus, the only one who can save you from God’s wrath. How does this turning occur? God uses the threat in His Law and the promises included in the gospel to work faith and repentance in us. So we should listen carefully to both Law and Gospel.
Hymns chosen for the day are in the LSB hymnal: #535 How Wide the Love of Christ; #571 God Loved the World so That He Gave; #543 What Wondrous Love is This. Those present for communion will sing #629 What is This Bread.
Scripture lessons are Psalm 121, Genesis 12:1-9 , Romans 4:1-8, 13-17; and John 3:1-17.
Psalm 121 is categorized as a psalm of ascents, a type of song pilgrims would have sung as they approached Jerusalem to worship. The psalmist is reminded that God is our constant faithful helper and protector. As we make our pilgrim way to our heavenly home we will experience distractions and fears. The Lord will bring us through to the end, so we should keep our eyes on Him, and our attention on His words.
Genesis 12 is the account of God calling an idolatrous man named Abram to leave his homeland near the Euphrates River and what is now the border between Syria and Turkey. God promises Abram many blessings including innumerable descendants. Later God changes Abram’s name (meaning honored father) to Abraham (meaning father of nations). Abraham believes God’s promises and responds by taking action, leaving behind his homeland. Notice, God’s promises are first in this sequence, then come faith that believes the promise, then action that demonstrates the faith. It is good to keep this sequence in the right order so we don’t put ourselves ahead of God. Later (Genesis 15) God counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness. Righteousness can be difficult to describe but can be compared to a similar root word, justification, a legal term meaning acquitted. Righteousness is not a virtue to be gained, but a status. Abraham’s faith was credited as righteousness as he trusted God’s promises. Jesus’ righteousness is credited to us as we trust in Him and His promises. (it is wrong to try to separate Jesus from His promises).
In the 4th chapter of his letter to the Romans, St. Paul uses the example of Abraham’s faith to make it clear that God consider no one righteous before Him based on works or efforts of obedience. Rather, faith is the contingent factor, and not just any faith, but trust in God’s promises. Good works are good because they help our neighbor, but those works are not meritorious before God. If salvation depends in any way on our works, then God would only be paying us some kind of wage for what we earned. Jesus and God’s grace would not be needed. Salvation would depend on us. Instead, Paul emphasizes that Jesus alone is responsible for our forgiveness and eternal salvation. Faith is the first response of holding to Him.
In the lesson from John 3, Jesus speaks to a religious leader named Nicodemus. Jesus explains the connection between baptism, faith, the Holy Spirit, and spiritual rebirth. Jesus includes what has been referred to as the gospel in a nutshell, that God loved the world, and demonstrated that love by sending His Son Jesus into the world to live as one of us. He was later lifted up, dying on a tree as a sacrifice for the sin of all the people of the world. Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Once again there is the focus on trusting Jesus. He has forgiven your sin. It is a gift He has paid for. Faith is the means by which that gift is received. Not faith plus works. It is not stated in scripture this way but is implied: God credits faith alone in Jesus alone as righteousness.
COLLECT: O, Almighty and gracious God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Return to the Lord Your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and abounding in steadfast love. Joel 2:13
