Matthew 6:13
καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶςεἰς πειρασμόν And do not bring us into temptation
Friends in Christ, I urge you all to
lift up your hearts to God and pray with me as Christ, our Lord has taught us
and freely promised to hear us. Lead us not into temptation, O Lord, but help
us by Your Spirit to subdue our flesh, to turn from the world and its ways, and
to overcome the devil with all his wiles, Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer.[1]
On this holy night, when we remember that the Savior endured
temptation for us we are brought into remembrance that He Himself allowed
Himself to suffer. He prayed in the garden “Father, not My will, but Thine be
done” and then allowed Himself and permitted Himself to be crucified.
Tonight, we look at the sixth petition, “and lead us not into temptation” Luther in his small Catechism
reminds us: “God indeed tempts no one…”
Well, if that is the case, what then do we ask in the sixth petition?
I. We
ask that the Father would guard and keep us, so that the temptation to evil may
not come upon us.
Paul writing in 2 Thessalonians 3 reminds us, “But the Lord is faithful, and will
strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” (v.3) Here Paul places the
faithfulness of God in sharp contrast with the lack of faith in people. “No temptation has sized you except what is
common to man…”
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10, “And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can
bear but when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can
stand under it.” (v.13)
Temptation in itself is not sin. Jesus Himself was tempt4ed.
Yielding to temptation is sin. Through God’s battling for us, we are able to
resist temptation to sin and stand up under it.
II. God
also promises to strengthen and preserve us when He permits temptation to come.
Why, pray tell, would the
Father allow His children to be tempted? You might ask. The Father allows
temptation so that in the end we may overcome and obtain the victory.
Paul reminds us to be clothed with Christ’s protection. In Ephesians 6:13
he writes, “Therefore put on the full
armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your
ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (v.13)
Withstanding temptation is the result.
God by these words assures us that he will give us the means by which we can
withstand temptation. Those means are His Word and the Sacraments, which are
connected to God’s Word and promises.
To help guard and keep us the
Savior has given us His Supper. This meal is an everlasting testament in which
the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation is given to us.
Jesus, knowing all that was
about to happen to Him took the time to offer for us His Supper. This meal is
offered to you and to me that we may withstand temptation that we may overcome,
that we may gain the victory.
Lord, I believe what You have said,
Help me when doubts assail me;
Remember that I am but dust
And let my faith not fail me.
This Supper in this vale of tears
Refreshes me and stills my fears
And is my priceless treasure.[2]
Passive Sentences –
Readability –75.1%
Reading Level – 7.1
[1]
Lutheran Service Book, Divine Service, Setting Five © 2006 Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis
[2]
Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared stanza 6, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006
Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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