Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of Jesus. Throughout the season of Epiphany, the Scripture lessons emphasized who Jesus is. He did many miracles and taught with authority, These were displays of His divine nature. The evidence is clear; He is true God. Now we have entered the season of Lent. The Scripture lessons will emphasize a slightly different aspect of Jesus. He came in human form to save us from the power of sin, death, and the devil. He accomplished His task by being your substitute, living a life like yours and mine, but without sin. It is that perfect divine and human life He offered to God as a sacrifice that permanently paid off your debt of guilt, and freed you from the control of the devil. What relief and comfort this is! Instead of eternal separation from God, Jesus has reconciled us to Him. I encourage you to come hear more of His Word, and receive His forgiveness given through the Lord’s Supper.
As a reminder, on Sunday afternoon Pattison Methodist Church will host a blood drive until 3pm. You can walk-in or preregister. Information about scheduling can be found on the Facebook page for Pattison United Methodist Church, or go online to giveblood.org.
Sunday, February 18th is the first Sunday in Lent. We will follow a modified version of the liturgy of Divine Service One beginning on page 151 in the LSB hymnal. For example, during Lent we will omit ‘Alleluias”, substitute Hymn 422 for the hymn of praise, and add a Lenten response before the reading of the Gospel lesson..
Hymns chosen for the day are #875 Father, We Praise Thee; #422 On My Heart Imprint Your Image; #718 Jesus, Lead Thou On; #729 I am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; and #418 O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 25:1-11, 14; Genesis 22:1-18; James 1:12-18; and Mark 1:9-15.
Psalm 25 is a psalm of David. It is an acrostic psalm, with the lines generally beginning with consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. We will be reciting verses 1-11 and 14. In the psalm, David asks for several things, for example, for victory over enemies; for knowledge from God that he might walk in God’s ways; that God would mercifully forgive him. David extends his prayer to intercede for all sinners, asking that God would forgive them also. In several verses David confesses his sinfulness. He sees his afflictions and troubles as being a result of his sin, and he asks God for relief. David’s words also demonstrate his faith. Rather than hiding his sin, or making excuses, David trusts that God is merciful and will pardon him. David is an example we should imitate— praying the God would teach and lead us in His ways, praying that we would patiently trust God as we wait for His deliverance, and praying for other sinners as well.
To summarize the other readings for the day. In life we have trials. It is not always clear who is the source of those trials. Scripture does make it clear that there is a constant battle going on over the soul of each of us. Who will be in control of our life and destiny? God, or the devil? God’s ways are often a mystery to us. “Testing” and “temptation” are essentially the same word. We often can’t tell if a “trial” is a “testing” or a “temptation”. Only in hindsight can we have some perspective. Think of it this way: if a trial draws us closer to God, increasing our reliance on Him while sifting out our trust in false gods, we would consider it as a test. The trial tested the genuineness of our faith, helping to remove any misdirected trust. On the other hand, if a trial turns us against God, leading us to distrust Him in any way, that would be a temptation. God is faithful. His promises are true. He is always present, and willing and able to help. In every trial we should turn to God.
Genesis 22 is the account of God’s testing of Abraham’s faith. God had promised Abraham and his wife Sarah that they would have a son leading to many descendants. After years of waiting, when Abraham and Sarah were very old and from an early perspective beyond possibility of having children, God miraculously provided them a son, Isaac. After many more years (Isaac was perhaps a teenager) God told Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Our earthly minds are shocked by such an order. Why would God give a son and then instruct that he be to death as a sacrifice? But we are told in the Book of Hebrews that Abraham believed that if God could and did miraculously give him Isaac, then God could and would certainly also raise him from the dead, and fulfill His promise to Abraham of many descendants. God saw Abraham’s faith, and at the last minute provided a ram to be a substitute sacrifice for Isaac. Then God repeated His promise of giving Abraham many descendants. Pay close attention to verse 18, “in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” It is not clear in the English translation, but “offspring” here is singular. That is, “offspring” refers to one descendant of Abraham through whom all nations would be blessed. Abraham’s almost-sacrifice of Isaac is a foreshadowing or ‘type’ pointing us to Jesus. God would offer His own Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice, not withholding Him or stopping evil men from killing Him. It is through the sacrificial death of Jesus that each of us has been blessed, redeemed from our sin.
James was the early leader of the Christian congregation in Jerusalem. There are many indications that he was also the half-brother of Jesus. James wrote to encourage Christians (particularly Jewish Christians) being scattered by increasing persecution. He instructed them to remain faithful to Jesus, and to demonstrate that faith through good works, for example, being impartial in treatment of people, controlling the tongue, being patient in times of suffering, and avoiding worldly quarrels. In 1:12-18, James emphasizes the faithfulness of God. He is not fickle, or constantly changing His mind. God can be trusted. He does not tempt anyone. By definition, temptation is a work of the devil trying to twist our sinful desires into rebellion against God. God does not do evil. He does not trick you. He only has good intentions for you. When you are going through trials, turn to God. On the Last Day, when Jesus returns and all trials, testing and temptations are done, those who trust in God and His Son Jesus will receive the crown of eternal life.
The gospel lesson is Mark’s very brief and rather hurried account of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the Judean wilderness. This temptation occurred immediately after Jesus was baptized. Matthew (Chapter 4) and Luke (Chapter 4) give greater detail as to the temptations. Mark’s account (1:9-15) makes the rather surprising revelation that this temptation was part of God’s plan to save us. That is, Jesus is driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. This action is initiated by God. The temptation is not an accident. God has a purpose in it. He was tempted like you and I are. Mark doesn’t say it specifically, but Jesus obviously resists and survives the devil’s temptation. This is a preliminary contest. As we observed in the lessons read during the season of Epiphany, Jesus had many more confrontations with the devil and his demons. In each case, Jesus had control over them. Three years later there would be a showdown outside of Jerusalem at the cross of Golgotha. On the cross, Jesus appears to fall to the devil. But this victory over the devil in the wilderness gives us a foretaste of the even bigger victory Jesus would win over the devil by rising from the dead. Jesus’ victory over the devil in the wilderness and His victory over death at the empty tomb are evidence that the kingdom of God is at hand. Take heart! God is already working out events that will lead to a new heaven and earth. He wants you to be a citizen of His kingdom. Continue to repent and believe in the gospel, the good news that Jesus has won victory over the devil and death, He promises to share His victory with you and all who trust in Him.
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.
Lenten Response: 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.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests or questions about Sunday’s lessons. Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. God bless you. Pastor Boster
