Brothers and sisters, we have entered the season of Lent. Lent is a solemn penitential season 40 days long (doesn’t include Sundays) ending at Easter. Lent is a time for each of us to consider the seriousness of our sin, and the rescue from eternal punishment that Jesus earned for us by His suffering (often referred to as Passion) and death on the cross. During the season, we add midweek services intended to consider those issues more closely. You are encouraged to attend, Wednesdays beginning at 6:30. Keep in mind God’s word spoken through the Prophet Joel (2:13), “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.”
February 22 is the first Sunday in Lent. During the season of Lent, we will be using the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Four, beginning on page 203 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for this coming Sunday are #560 Drawn to the Cross; #422 On My Heart Imprint Your Image; #562 All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall; #613 To Thee, Omniscient Lord of All; and #418 O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 32:1-10; Genesis 3:1-21; Romans 5:12-19; and Matthew 4:1-11.
The Old Testament lesson from Genesis 3 takes us back to the time of creation. Adam and Eve, the first people, disobeyed God’s command, giving into the temptation of the devil who appeared as a serpent. This disobedience brought sin into the world. Mankind’s nature was corrupted. All natural descendants of Adam and Eve would be conceived and born corrupted by sin. Being sinners, we would do sinful things. The penalty or punishment for sin was separation from God and the curse of death. God promises that an “offspring” (singular, descendant) of Eve would crush the serpent’s head, that is, overturn the devil’s work.
In his letter to the church in Rome, St. Paul summarizes how the one man Adam trespassed against God and brought sin, condemnation, and death into the world. Adam made us all sinners. Paul also describes how the one man, Jesus demonstrates God’s grace, bringing the gifts of justification and righteousness from God. Jesus was obedient to God’s plan of rescue. He died in our place, setting us free from the threat of eternal death. Jesus makes us all righteous before God.
The gospel reading tells events on Jesus’ life after His baptism and before beginning His public ministry. The Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the desert wilderness that the devil might tempt Him. After 40 days of fasting, Jesus would have been physically weakened. The devil’s urging would bring into question Jesus’ relationship to God and His commitment and obedience to God’s plan to save us sinners. That obedience and commitment would be tested several more times during Jesus’ earthly life. Jesus rejects the devil’s offers and faithfully demonstrates His commitment as the perfect Son. The term ‘Son’ is more than describing Jesus’ ontological divine relationship to God. It also indicates He is the substitute for God’s people, Israel, who are also collectively referred to as God’s son (for example, Exodus 4:22 and Hosea 11:1).
COLLECT: O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them safely to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church, that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come,; 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.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about schedules or the Scripture lessons. God bless you. Pastor Boster
