The theme for the Fourth Sunday in Lent is Salvation by Sight. On the
fourth Sunday in Lent we begin to see the cross in the distance and learn of
its healing power of salvation by grace. As Moses raised a brazen serpent,
Jesus must be raised up on a cross. The upraised serpent in the Old Testament
lesson brought healing through the forgiving love of God. This took place
simply by looking to the upraised serpent. The cross brings eternal life to
those who look to the cross with the eyes of faith in the Gospel lesson. With
Christ we are raised to heavenly places where we see the riches of grace in the
Epistle lesson. Salvation comes simply in a look – a look at the cross and a
look in faith. Salvation is the theme of the Psalm of the Day. The Hymn of the
Day is based on John 3:16, a verse from this week’s Gospel lesson. Next
Sunday’s lessons present us with tremendous texts as Ephesians 2:8 and John
3:16 as well as basic themes; salvation by grace, the cross, the amazing love
of God, and the healing power of forgiveness.
Psalm
27:3-5; antiphon, Psalm 27:1—The antiphon for Sunday’s
Introit, The LORD is my light and my
salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom
shall I be afraid, reflects David’s confidence and faith in the Lord, exhorting all people also to place
their trust in the Lord. Thus
David can conclude; when evil men advance
against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will
stumble and fall.
The LORD is the light for our path, he is the
light of truth, and he is the illumination of our salvation. We do not trust in
might or wealth, or any manifestation of our own strength to save us. Our help
is in the LORD; He is God.
This is a psalm of David, a plea for
deliverance from his enemies – evil men who breathe out violence and advance
against him to devour his flesh. David boldly asserts that he is not
afraid, for the Lord is his light and salvation. What is the source
of David’s confidence? Continual fellowship with God. Our best defense against
the assault of our enemy, the devil, is to follow David’s example: worship in
the house of the Lord. In the day
of trouble, He will keep us safe in
His dwelling.
Collect for
Psalm 27: Gracious Father, protector of those who hope in you. You heard the cry
o your Son and kept him safe in your shelter in the day of evil. Grant that
your servants who seek your face in times of trouble may see your goodness in
the land of the living, through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. [1]
-Monday, 8 March 2021
[1] Collect for Psalm 27, For All the Saints a Prayer book for and by the Church © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi NY
Illustration of The Crucifixion is from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures. Copyright © WLS permission granted for personal and congregational use
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