Thursday of Lent 1

Thursday of Lent 1 – March 5, 2020 – Matthew 4:1-11
 

[1]

O Christ, You Walked the Road
O Christ, You walked the road
    Our wand’ring feet must go.
You faced with us temptation’s pow’r
    And fought our ancient foe. [2]

Describing Jesus’ temptation, Matthew tells us, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came…” (Matthew 4:1-3a)

God indeed tempts no one. Yet we pray that the devil, the world and our own sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Jesus shows us how shrewd Satan can be. He twists Scripture giving us a false description of God’s intentions. He misleads us to think that we can compromise principle and still keep our integrity. He makes promises, which he knows he cannot keep.

Because we are weak and so often give into temptation Jesus remained strong for us withstanding the lure of the Devil and all of his enticements. Jesus faced temptation’s power. He fought the ancient foe. And He continues to fight for you. Although we are attacked and pulled by temptation we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory. The victory was won for you at the cross. Daily the Lord helps you in your battle with temptation. Thanks be to God that Jesus continues to intercede for you. 

Multiply Thy strength, O Lord, in the souls of Thy humble servants, that while we ever worship Thee in Thy holy temple, we may, together with Thy holy angels, rejoice in beholding Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Ghost, One God, world without end. Amen. [3] 

Strengthen us, O Lord, by Your grace, that in Your might we may overcome all spiritual enemies, and with pure hearts serve You through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. [4]

1. Image: Satan tempts Jesus, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS for personal and congregational use

2. O Christ, You Walked the Road © 1997 GIA Publications, Inc. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100013721.

3. A Lenten Collect  © 2005 Lutheran Liturgical Prayer Brotherhood

4. Collect for Thursday of Lent 1, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm