Monday of Lent 1 – March 2, 2020 – Romans 5:12-21
[1]One common sin infects us all.
From one to all the curse descends,
And over all God’s wrath impends. [2]
Paul would remind us, “For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19) It is simple statement of a fact. In Adam, we are declared sinners. In Christ we are declared righteous. Adam’s act of disobedience brought sin into this world. Christ’s perfect obedience of the law; His sacrificial suffering, death and resurrection declares you to be righteous.
Adam’s rebellious act of disobedience brings condemnation punishment, death. Christ’s obedience brings restoration, freedom and new life. In Christ, God has begun the new creation and the end of our alienation from the Source of all life.
Jesus Christ, our Champion against the devil, endures and overcomes “every temptation” (Luke 4:13) on our behalf. Jesus’ victory is now ours through His gracious Word, which is not far away but near us – in our mouth and in our heart, in the proclamation of repentance and faith. For “with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” [3]
Lord Jesus, prepare us for that eternal Sabbath when You will rest in us, just as now You work in us. The rest that we shall enjoy will be Yours, just as the work that we now do is Your work done through us. But You, O Lord, are eternally at work and eternally at rest. It is not time that You see or in time that You move or in time that You rest, yet You make what we see in time. You make time itself and the repose which comes when time ceases; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [4]
Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully increase in us Your gifts of holy discipline, in almsgiving, prayer and fasting; that our lives may be directed to the fulfilling of Your most gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
1. Image: Adam and Eve expelled from Paradise, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use
2. All Mankind Fell in Adam’s Fall, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
3. Collect for Monday of Lent 1 Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
4. Collect for Monday of Lent 1, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm
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