Friday prior to Lent 3

 

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John 2:13-22—Jesus cleanses the temple of those who traded in it.

Man’s failure to keep God’s law. Jesus cleanses the temple of those who traded in it. In the first three Gospels, Jesus begins His ministry in Galilee, but in John’s Gospel the focus is on Jerusalem. In the first three Gospels, the cleansing of the temple comes at the end of Jesus’ ministry, but John’s Gospel puts it at the beginning. In the first three Gospels, the cleansing of the temple becomes the immediate cause of Jesus’ arrest.  In John, the cleansing is related to the Jew’s demand for a sign authorizing Him to take such dramatic action. Jesus’ sign was the destruction of the temple and rebuilding it in three days – a forecast of His death and resurrection.

“Who are you to say or do what you said or did?”  This question is the same as the Jews’ asking Jesus for a sign. The temple with its activities, services, and programs is in the charge of the priests who were authorized to take care of the temple. Who is this itinerant peasant preacher to say what is right to do in the temple?  This question is certainly in order. Jesus gives them the sign of the cross. He is the one whose temple will be destroyed and rebuilt on the third day. This proves who He is – the Messiah – and He has the right and the authority to cleanse the temple.

A Prayer in times of temptation: Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in our daily needs, and especially in all time of temptation we may seek Your help and, by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promised; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. 2

Sources:

1. Illustration of Jesus turning the tables in the Temple is from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor 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. 

2. A Collect in times of temptation, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Lent 3 reflection

John 2:13-22

The Scriptures  teach be angry. But do not sin. Jesus never sinned. But He became angry. At corruption. Dishonesty. And fraud.

John tells us Jesus was filled with zeal. Which might or might not include anger.

You do not worship the church itself.  You worship Christ. He was angry at what was being done to the temple. He knew that He, too, would be beaten and abused. When we trust in and focus on Jesus. Our lives can be used. For their true purpose. Service to Him. And our neighbor.

We pray…Collect for Lent 3— O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways.  Bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, on Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen [2]

Have you ever had something you cared about get ruined? 

It doesn’t feel too good, Do you know who else might understand? Jesus. Today> We learn about a time when Jesus went into God’s house, and He discovered that people were using the temple for the wrong reason. 

They had turned it into a marketplace. And they were selling things. For a profit. You see, people needed animals to sacrifice to God. But the sellers were charging crazy high prices for the animals. And forcing the poor people to pay the high prices just so they could worship. 

That doesn’t sound like what should be going on in a church, does it? Jesus sure didn’t think so. 

He got so upset that He made a whip out of some rope. And He went into the temple and turned the tables over! 

He told the people that they were abusing and misusing God’s house. 

Well, some of the people there weren’t too happy. Since Jesus was disrupting their money-making scheme. They asked Jesus where He got the authority to tell them what to do. 

Jesus told them to tear down the temple, and He would re-build it in three days. Well, that sounded pretty crazy to them. Because it had taken years and years to build the temple. 

But Jesus wasn’t talking about the building of the temple. He was talking about Himself. 

He knew that He was going to get abused and mistreated. But He also knew that He would come back to life. And do all of that to give us new life. He wanted to clean out the temple so that people could worship properly in it. 

But ultimately, He wanted to replace the temple. To provide a new and better temple. That anyone and everyone could access. Without having to pay for animal sacrifices. 

He was the ultimate sacrifice. As He died to give us a new and better way to worship.

You see, we were made to worship. The LORD has made us to love and serve Him. Our bodies. In a way, are like temples. Because they are where the Holy Spirit can dwell. And they are tools to worship the Lord. 

Through Christ’s death and resurrection. They are cleaned out again! 

Because we have new life in Him. We want to worship Him with all that we are. 

We make mistakes still. At times we might  become angry. or upset. or cross. 

But we know Jesus promises to forgive and renew.. When we focus our lives on loving and serving Jesus. We are doing what He has made us for. 

We fulfill our purpose. It isn’t always easy. But we can pray and we know that through the grace of God, He helps us every time.

LORD. Thank you for making us. And for creating us to worship you. Please help us focus on living for you. 

And using our lives for the right purposes. Thank you for your love and care. [1]

Image of Jesus clearing the Temple from  the woodcut by Baron Julius Schnorr von Carlsfeld copyright WLS permission granted for personal and congregational use

---

[1] https://ministry-to-children.com/jesus-cleans-temple-sermon-for-kids/

[2] Collect for Lent 3, Lutheran Service Book copyright 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 

Thursday prior to Lent 3

1

1 Corinthians 1:22-25—The fulfillment of God’s law in the cross. The crucified Christ is preached as the power and wisdom of God. The message of Christ crucified has difficulty in gaining a sympathetic hearing in the world. Both Jews and Greeks were opposed to it. The Jews demanded a sign and found the cross to be a stumbling block. The Jews asked how God’s Son, the Messiah, could die on a cross, reserved for the worst criminals. Moreover, the Jews looked for signs in terms of their being spectacular and startling. 

How could Jesus be the Messiah when He came as one meek and lowly and refusing to use violence?  The Greeks, too, were hostile to the cross, for they wanted wisdom. But to them the message of the cross was foolishness. In spite of this hostile environment, Paul is determined to preach Christ crucified; the power and wisdom of God.

What do Christians do? They “preach.” What do they preach? They preach “Christ crucified.” What is in this account of an innocent man meeting his death on a cross? Christians know that this death expressed the infinite love of God for sinners who by faith are reconciled to God. 

A Prayer for humility: O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 2 

Sources;

1. 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

2. Collect for Humility, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St., Louis

Wednesday prior to Lent 3

 

1

Exodus 20:1-17—The demands of God’s Law.  God gives the Ten Commandments to Moses and his people. The Ten Commandments are the unconditional demands of God. They are absolute laws that express the will of God for His people. Israel is His people for a covenant was established at Mt. Sinai. The Commandments follow the covenant relationship as the people’s response to God’s grace in making the covenant. 

They are not conditions to be met before God is their God but rather because He is their God. They will live as His children according to these absolute laws. The laws were written on two tablets of stone by the finger of God indicating that the laws come from God and not from social development. The two tablets refer to the division of the laws as they relate to God and to people. 

What then, if a homicide seek refuge with a Christian, or if he see where the homicide have taken refuge, and be questioned of this matter by him who seeks, in order to bring to punishment a man, the slayer of man? Is he to tell a lie? For how does he not hide a sin by lying, when he for whom he lies has been guilty of a heinous sin? Or is it because he is not questioned concerning his sin, but about the place where he is concealed? So then to lie in order to hide a person's sin is evil; St. Augustine—On Lying

Collect for the Third Sunday in Lent—O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, on Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen 2

Sources:

1. Illustration of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments 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

2. Collect for the Third Sunday in Lent © 2006 Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Tuesday prior to Lent 3

 

1

The Psalm for this coming Sunday is Psalm19 with the key verse v.8; ‘the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes,’ which corresponds to John 6:68 —“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”  

God's precepts, rejoice the heart of the godly. They are not felt as stern commands, but as gracious intimations of what God desires man to do for his own good. The commandment of the Lord is pure; i.e. spotless, clean, without fault. Compare this with verse 7, ‘The Law of the Lord is perfect’. Enlightening the eyes; i.e. giving light to the intellect.

The eyes are mentioned, as it is by them that we see where to go. The reference here is undoubtedly to the mind or soul as being enlightened by the truth of God. We are made by these commandments to see what is right and proper; to understand what we should do. Thus, the Catechism teaches that the Holy Spirit “calls, gathers, enlightens, sanctifies, and keeps us” as we are drawn by the word of Christ.

In this psalm, David reminds us once again and emphasizes the excellence of God’s Law. The Theme of the Day reminds us that eternal life is in the words of Christ and not in the words of the Law.

Collect for Psalm 19: Heavenly Father, you have filled the world with beauty. Open our eyes to see your gracious hand in all your works that rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness, for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 2

Sources:

1. Illustration of Jesus turning the tables in the Temple 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. 

2. Collect for Psalm 19, For All the Saints, A Prayer book for and by the Church, Vol.III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Monday prior to Lent 3

 

The theme for this coming week; the Third Sunday in Lent is meeting the demands of the Law. Lent points to the cross, as the only means of fulfilling God’s demands. These demands are spelled out in the Old Testament lesson (Exodus 20:1-17) with the giving of the Ten Commandments and in the Gospel lesson (John 2:13-22) which shows us that these demands are not being met so that Jesus, in righteous indignation, cleanses the temple of the commercial traffic conducted in the name of religion. 

The solution to the problem is in the cross where the price of disobedience was paid and where perfect obedience to God was demonstrated. Since Christ has fulfilled the demands of the Law, believers in Christ are free from the curse of the Law as a means of finding favor with God. The suggested Psalm emphasizes the excellence of God’s law the Lord requires.

Psalm 69:14-16; antiphon, Psalm 69:9—The Introit sets the theme for the day: meeting the demands of the law.  Without the Lord by our side, there is nothing we can do but fall. Yet, with the Lord, we are sustained and rescued, and we rise to new life rather than sink.

The sufferings of Christ were here particularly foretold, which proves the Scripture to be the word of God; and how exactly these predictions were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, which proves him to be the true Messiah. The vinegar and the gall given to him were a faint emblem of that bitter cup which he drank up, that we might drink the cup of salvation.

Whatever deep waters of affliction or temptation we sink into, whatever floods of trouble or ungodly men seem ready to overwhelm us, let us persevere in prayer to our Lord to save us.

Collect for Psalm 69: God our Father, you fulfilled the ancient prophets in Christ’s Passover from death to life. Through the contemplation of his healing wounds, make us zealous for your Church and grateful for your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

Sources:

Illustration of Jesus turning the tables in the Temple is from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor 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. 

Collect for Psalm 69, For All the Saints, A Prayer book for and by the Church © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT - notes

 

Exodus 20:1–17
1 Corinthians 1:18–31
John 2:13–22 (23–25)

Collect for Lent 3 – O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

The Crucified and Risen Body of Jesus Is the True Temple of the Lord

 The Lord rescues His people, Israel, “out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Exodus 20:2) and makes His gracious covenant with them, defined by the Ten Commandments. Since He has become their God by His grace, they shall be His people, having “no other gods” before Him (Exodus 20:3). He is “jealous” for them as a husband for his wife and as a father for his children. He has named them with His name and called them to rest in Him (Exodus 20:5–9). The incarnate Son, Christ Jesus, is likewise jealous for His Father’s house, because it is to be a place of divine grace and Sabbath rest for His people, and not “a house of trade” (John 2:16–17). His zeal consumes Him as He gives up “the temple of his body” to the destruction of the cross, but in three days He raises it up again to be the true temple forever (John 2:17–21). By His crucifixion He cleanses the entire household, and in His resurrection He becomes “wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

John 2:13–22

John 2:13
 Καὶ ἐγγὺς ἦν τὸ πάσχα τῶν Ἰουδαίων, καὶ ἀνέβη εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ὁ Ἰησοῦς.

The Passover was near, Jesus enters Jerusalem...

- the first Passover in John. He'll do it again after Passover.  V. 13 He kept the law for us.

John 2:14
καὶ εὗρεν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ τοὺς πωλοῦντας βόας καὶ πρόβατα καὶ περιστερὰς καὶ τοὺς κερματιστὰς καθημένους, 

He found in the temple those selling oxen, sheep and doves along with the money changers. 

What were they doing with the funds? Funding the insurrection? V. 14

John 2:15
καὶ ποιήσας φραγέλλιον ἐκ σχοινίων πάντας ἐξέβαλεν ἐκ τοῦ ἱεροῦ τά τε πρόβατα καὶ τοὺς βόας, καὶ τῶν κολλυβιστῶν ἐξέχεεν [a]τὰ κέρματα καὶ τὰς τραπέζας ἀνέστρεψεν,

So he made a whip from cords, and all of them he drove out of the temple oxen, and sheep and poured out the money changers and turned over the tables. 

v. 15 He doesn't find a whip he makes one...

A sign of what will happen to him. A foreshadow of what is to happen... Mark 15:15 

They were fulfilling the Law now he fulfills it....he becomes the temple ...they were doing this inside the temple.

Caution, don't make this more Law...

This is the court of the Gentiles 28 acres 

John 2:16
 καὶ τοῖς τὰς περιστερὰς πωλοῦσιν εἶπεν· Ἄρατε ταῦτα ἐντεῦθεν, μὴ ποιεῖτε τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός μου οἶκον ἐμπορίου.

To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!

- See prophecy of Zech. 14:21

John 2:17
ἐμνήσθησαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ὅτι γεγραμμένον ἐστίν· Ὁ ζῆλος τοῦ οἴκου σου καταφάγεταί με.

His disciples remembered that it is written:“Zeal for your house will consume (eat me down) me.” 

He was eaten up with zeal. Ps. 69:9

They get it but they don't.

John 2:18-19
ἀπεκρίθησαν οὖν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ· Τί σημεῖον δεικνύεις ἡμῖν, ὅτι ταῦτα ποιεῖς; 19 ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Λύσατε τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον καὶ ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις ἐγερῶ αὐτόν.

Then the Jews demanded of him, “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” 

The Jews ask for a sign he tells them the resurrection. This is THE sign. To ask for a sign is a sign of unbelief. In John "sign" = miracle. They ask for a miracle and He gives them His death. 

John 2:20
εἶπαν οὖν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι· Τεσσεράκοντα καὶ ἓξ ἔτεσιν οἰκοδομήθη ὁ ναὸς οὗτος, καὶ σὺ ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις ἐγερεῖς αὐτόν;

The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple,[a] and will you raise it up in three days?”

John 2:21
ἐκεῖνος δὲ ἔλεγεν περὶ τοῦ ναοῦ τοῦ σώματος αὐτοῦ.

But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 

John 2:22
ὅτε οὖν ἠγέρθη ἐκ νεκρῶν, ἐμνήσθησαν οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ὅτι τοῦτο ἔλεγεν, καὶ ἐπίστευσαν τῇ γραφῇ καὶ τῷ λόγῳ [d]ὃν εἶπεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς.

When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Sources:

-The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software
-ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
-Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The crucifixion’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
-LCMS Lectionary notes © 2018 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
-Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Matthias, Apostle

 Today on the Church calendar we remember and recall St. Matthias, Apostle

Almighty God, You chose Your servant Matthias to be numbered with the Twelve. Grant that Your Church, ever preserved from false teachers, may be taught and guided by faithful  and true pastors; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

From the Treasury of Daily Prayer copyright 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis

St. Matthias, Apostle (February 24)

 

Isaiah 66:1–2

Acts 1:15–26

Matthew 11:25–30

St. Matthias, Apostle

We know almost nothing about St. Matthias compared to Judas. While we know the grisly details of Judas’ death (Acts 1:18–19), we are unsure of Matthias’. After his election, the Bible never mentions him again. He seems to be a forgotten apostle. But what is fame to God? He looks to “he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word” (Is. 66:2). Judas trembled, but his contrition was without faith in God’s mercy in Christ. He tried to bear his own sin in the form of a noose. Jesus does not say, “see to it yourself,” (Matt. 27:4) but “come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you...and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28–29). Matthias was a witness of Christ’s ministry from John’s baptism to the resurrection (Acts 1:21–22), chosen to proclaim “the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 10:7) from repentance to redemption and new life. He and countless other forgotten ministers continually announce the truth that no sinner must bear his own yoke, for Christ bears it all and has put sin to death forever in His cross.

Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Lectionary Summary copyright LCMS commission on worship

Saturday prior to Lent 2

Luke 3:22-23- The theme for the Second Sunday in Lent is The Cross – The Way of Life. The Gospel of Lent 1 was related to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.  Today the public ministry draws to a close. Today’s Gospel follows the experience at Caesarea Philippi where Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ. If He is the Messiah, he must go to Jerusalem to suffer and die. Likewise, His followers must adopt this same style of life: denial, suffering, and the cross. The way of the cross leads home to God. In the Old Testament lesson, the Lord calls Abraham to walk before Him and be blameless. We do this through our adoption into the family of God.  Out of suffering, Paul says, in the Epistle lesson, ultimately comes hope and out of Jesus’ passion comes reconciliation with God. The Psalm urges us to trust this God of mercy. The suggested Hymn of the Day is related to the Gospel lesson which calls upon the Christian to take up the cross and follow after Jesus.

Today we focus on the hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness {LSB 809}. The suggested reference reminds us that God was faithful to His promise in sending the Holy Spirit upon His only Son as He began His ministry. God is faithful to all of His promises. As He promised to send His Son, to anoint Him with the Holy Spirit, this same Son will work our salvation. The promises of God are fulfilled in the work of His Son our Savior Jesus Christ.

The Story Behind Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Thomas O. Chisholm wrote the lyrics of this hymn in 1923 about God's faithfulness over his lifetime. Chisholm sent the song to William Runyan in Kansas, who was affiliated with both the Moody Bible Institute and Hope Publishing Company. Runyan set the poem to music, and it was published that same year by Hope Publishing Company and became popular among church congregations. Chisholm's lyrics reference the Bible verses of Lamentations 3:22-23. The hymn gained a wide audience after becoming successful with Dr. William Henry Houghton of the Moody Bible Institute and Billy Graham, who used the song frequently on his international crusades. Since the mid-20th century, this song has been the university hymn of Cairn University which was previously Philadelphia Biblical University after being Philadelphia College of Bible, established in 1913. 1

O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen  2

Sources:

Illustration  The Crucifixion from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures.

1. https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/great-is-thy-faithfulness/ 

2. Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, 

Polycarp of Smyrma, pastor and martyr

 Today on the church calendar we remember and recall Polycarp and pastor and martyr of the faith

The following prayer is recorded as his immediately prior to the fire being kindled by his martyrdom:

Lord God Almighty Father of Your blessed and beloved Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of You, God of angels and host al all creation and of the whole race of the upright who live in Your presence: I bless You that You have thought me worthy of this day an hour, to be numbered among the the martyrs and share in the cup of Christ, for resurrection to eternal life, for soul and body in the  incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. Among them may I be accepted before You today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice just as You, the faithful and true God, have prepared and foreshown and brought about. For this reason and for all thigs I praise You, I bless You, I glorify You, through the eternal heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, through whom be glory to You, with Him and the Holy Spirit, now and for the ages to come. Amen   

O God, the maker of heaven and earth, who gave to Your venerable servant, the holy and gentle Polycarp, boldness to confess Jesus Christ as King and Savior, and steadfastness to die for the Faith, give us grace, following his example,, to share the cup of Christ and rise to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the H9oly Spirit, one God, now and forever. 

From the Treasury of Daily Prayer copyright 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Friday prior to Lent 2

Mark 8:27-38— Jesus teaches that He must suffer and die and calls upon His disciples to follow Him in the same.

Jesus and the Disciples are at Caesarea Philippi. Peter had confessed Jesus as the Christ. Thereupon Jesus explains to His disciples that as the Messiah He must go to Jerusalem to suffer and die.  This did not fit into Peter’s conception of the Messiah and, therefore, he rebukes Jesus. Jesus sees this as a temptation not to go to the cross. He turns down the temptation by seeing Satan in Peter. Then, in the second part of the lesson (verses 34-38), Jesus explains to both disciples and people that they, too, are to take the way of the cross that involves denial, suffering, and sacrifice. 

Jesus reminds his disciples, “After three days I will rise again.” Jesus tags this on to the end of the distressing forecast: suffering, rejection, death. As a kind of postscript Jesus adds that he will rise again. It seems to detract from the dreadfulness of the cross. Sometimes we wish it were not there because it seems to detract from the passion of Lent. It belongs to Easter and we are not ready for it now. On the other hand, it is a most important phrase, for it tells us how it is going to end. We can, therefore go through Lent with its sorrow and pain in a joyful spirit of hope. We can endure the pain for the joy of ultimate victory.

In telling his coming passion Jesus spoke “plainly.” He was honest, frank and pulled no punches. He told it as it was going to be. Heretofore, Jesus taught primarily in parables. He let his hearers decide what he meant. Now there must be nu misunderstand. He, the Christ, is going to suffer shame, suffering and death. That is plain talk. 

The rugged cross means a rugged way of life for a follower of Christ.  The Christian style of life is a hard life. Jesus’ life consisted of sorrow, rejection, suffering, and death. His followers can expect no less. The Christian life has a cross at its center. John Donne said, “No cross is so extreme, as to have none. There is no gain without pain.” President Truman had a sign on his desk: “Bring me only bad news. Good news weakens me.” 

In Tom Sawyer Clemens wrote, “He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it – namely, that in orders to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to obtain." 1

A Prayer in times of temptation: Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in our daily needs, and especially in all time of temptation we may seek Your help and, by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promised; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. 2

Sources:

Illustration: The Crucifixion,  from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor 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. 

1. Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John R Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima OH

2. A Prayer in times of temptation, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

.

Heroes

 

Mark 8:27-38

Heroes 

We easily recognize how powerful and wonderful Jesus is…however, when He lived on Earth. His rule was not quite what people expected or anticipated. 

They wanted a conquering, physically impressive leader. Jesus came as a suffering servant.  

They wanted political power in this life. Jesus came to give life now and for the new life that is to come. 

We can give thanks that Jesus suffered for our sake. And that through Him> We have hope and salvation.

What do you think makes someone a hero? Can you think of any heroes? You might think of a hero as someone with great strength. Or special powers. Or maybe someone who overcomes things. And helps people. 

Often our heroes are those who helped shape our lives. 

We look to heroes who give comfort. And devotion to keep us safe. All of these heroes work hard for different things.

Jesus came to Earth to rescue and save people. But it didn’t quite happen the way most people expected. 

People thought that He would be a powerful physical hero. That would overthrow the oppressive Romans. And set up a new kind of rule for the people.

But that’s not the kind of hero Jesus was. He threw a plot twist into expectations when He announced that His kingdom was not of this world. Rather He told them that He was going to suffer and die. 

Even His disciples didn’t like hearing that. What kind of leader announces he’s going to let himself be captured and killed? 

Peter tried to tell Jesus that He was speaking nonsense. But Jesus explained that he didn’t recognize what he was talking about. 

Jesus came to take our place. He did overcome hardship. He overcame death itself. Dying to conquer death! 

He did come to save. But not through politics. He came to save.> By taking our place. And accepting punishments He didn’t earn. 

Jesus was a servant who knew that glorifying God would only come through suffering and pain.

He knew this was all part of the Father’s plan. A plan designed for you.

The LORD had spoken through His prophets about how the Messiah would rescue everyone. 

The disciples didn’t quite understand this part of the plan.  And had a hard time accepting it. 

But we can recognize how important the work of Christ is. He suffered for our sake. And because of that. We also know that Jesus can understand when we go through hard times. And experience difficult things.

If you think you have noting in life. Behold His cross. Where you will find the Father’s love for you.

When life seems difficult. Turn to the Scriptures. They never change.

Whenever you experience pain or regret – Hear the Gospel -That the blood of  Jesus cover all sin.

There are circumstances in our lives that are difficult. And challenging. We might not understand what the LORD is doing. 

But Jesus promises to be with us. And will always help us get through. 

He knows how hard life is. Because He was willing to undergo pain and death for us. He will listen to our cries every time we pray. We are thankful that Jesus knows and understands…you! We pray:

Thank you LORD for giving us Jesus, the true hero. Help us to cling to Him when life is hard. And remember that He’s been through it all! 

We proclaim Him as Lord as we love one another. Thank you for your love and care. 

Words – 600

Readability – 81.3%

Reading Level – 4.1

Passive Sentences –4.1%

Sources:

Image of Jesus the Christ by Ed Riojas, copyright Higher Things

https://ministry-to-children.com/jesus-the-suffering-hero-childrens-sermon/ 

Thursday prior to Lent 2

 

Romans 5:1-11—Paul teaches that Christians have peace with God through the reconciliation made possible by the cross. This lesson is a transition from justification by faith to a life of faith beginning with chapter 6.  Hence we have Paul’s “therefore” (v.1).  By grace through faith, we are one with God in peace and harmony. Out of this relationship come reasons to rejoice: that we share in the glory of God (verse 2) that we experience suffering that eventuates in hope (verses 3, 4); and that we are reconciled to God through Christ (verse11).

All of the good things God has earned for us through Christ are present possessions. Here and now we “have” peace with God. We have access to God’s grace. We are reconciled. Consequently, the gospel is not “pie in the sky bye and bye.” When Christ dies for us, we were reconciled to God, and that reconciliation became a present reality by faith. 

We know Christ died for sinners. But what kind of sinners – repentant, converted sinners? The word “yet” in verse eight indicates that God’s love was expressed on the cross even before people repented and turned to God. While we were yet sinners – going our own rebellious ways, denying and cursing God, and living like the devil. Christ died for us in love. Thus, we do not first repent and then come for mercy. Before we came, God had already had mercy and has forgiven. Now we come because we have experienced God’s mercy and this leads us to repent. 1   

A Prayer for humility: O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 2

Sources:

Illustration of the Crucifixion from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures. Copyright © WLS permission granted for congregational and personal use.

1. Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

2. A Prayer for humility, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Wednesday prior to Lent 2

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16—In our Old Testament reading, Abram’s name is changed to Abraham as the Lord gives him the covenant of circumcision. The covenant is God’s. God calls it “my covenant” as He initiates and established it. God has covenanted to keep His promises. The Lord gives us His pledge to be the protector of His people and the One who provides for their well-being and guarantees their future blessings.  The Lord calls Abraham to walk before Him and be blameless. We do this through our adoption into the family of God.

“Neither will your name any more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations” (v. 5). Names have always been important. Our names stand as a proxy for ourselves. Our name in the form of a signature on a legal document binds us legally to certain obligations. We like for people to call us by name, and hearing our name called tends to get our attention, even if the voice is distant—perhaps especially if the voice is distant.

In some cultures, parents give their children names that have special meanings—Native Americans come to mind—and a person’s name might be changed later to commemorate a significant accomplishment by that person.

God, on several occasions, changed a person’s name to signify a change in that person’s life and relationship with God. Abram becomes Abraham (17:5). Sarai becomes Sarah (17:15). Jacob becomes Israel (32:28). “Name and existence come extraordinarily close together in Hebrew thought. Perhaps it is going too far to say that the Hebrews believed that nothing existed unless it had a name (cf. Eccl 6:10a). But certainly they believed that one’s name lived on in one’s descendants (Gen. 48:16), and that without male heirs one would be left with ‘neither name nor remnant upon the face of the earth’ (2 S. 14:7; cf. Dt. 25:5-10)” (Bromiley, 481).

In this instance, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham and gives the reason—”for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.” Ab means “father.” Abram could mean “the father is exalted” or “he is exalted as to his father” (Hamilton, 464). God combines Abram’s original name with the Hebrew word for “father of a multitude”—‘ab-hamon—to create the new name, Abraham. 1

A Prayer for humility: O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.2 

Sources:

Illustration: Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts “The Crucifixion” copyright © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use. 

1. https://sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary/genesis-171-7-15-16/

2. A Prayer for Humility, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Tuesday prior to Lent 2

Psalm 22:23-31—In this psalm, David vows to praise the Lord when the Lord’s sure deliverance comes. The vows appear in verses 22 and 25. Verses 23-24 anticipate the calls to praise that will accompany the psalmist’s praise. Verses 26-31 describe the expanding company of those who will take up the praise – a worldwide company of persons form every station in life and continuing through the generations. No psalm or prophecy contains a grander vision of this scope of the throng of worshipers who will join in the praise of God’s saving acts.

An important element of Psalm 22 is verses 29-31. Not only will the living praise God, but all those “who sleep in the earth” (verse 29) and all future generations, “those yet to be born” (verse 31). This psalm of lament is a powerful model for believers today; life confronts us with issues and happenings that sometimes feel unbearable. And so, we cry out to God; we tell God what is wrong; we tell God what we want God to do; we recall those past instances in our lives (or in the lives of those around us) when God has made a way for us to handle the situation; and, then, and only then, we can praise God for God’s goodness and tell others about it.

When Jesus uttered the opening words of Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” on the cross, he was calling his hearers to remember the words of the whole psalm — “for he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him” (verse 24). Thus, “all the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD” (verse 27). 1

Collect for Psalm 22: Father, when your Son was handed over to torture and felt abandoned by you, he cries out from the cross. Then death was destroyed and life was stored. By his death and resurrection save the poor, life up the downtrodden, break the chains of the oppressed, that your Church may sing your praises; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  2

Sources:

Illustration  “The Crucifixion” from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden (The Book of Books in Pictures)

1. https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/second-sunday-in-lent-2/commentary-on-psalm-2223-31 

2. Collect for Psalm 22, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and by the Church Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

 

Monday prior to Lent 2

 

Psalm 115:11-13; antiphon, Psalm 25:6 

The Introit for the Second Sunday in Lent sets the theme for the day: Lent is a time of suffering as the way of the cross often involves suffering for the Christian.  In the midst of our suffering, we cry out with the Psalmist as the antiphon suggests, “Remember Your mercy O Lord, and Your steadfast love." We ask the Father to look at us through His eye of mercy as He remembers the work of Christ our Savior.

The LORD through the prophet Malachi teaches, “I am the Lord I do not change.” This is comforting news for us. Past mercies form a ground for the expectation of future blessings. God's character cannot change; his action as one time will always be consistent and harmonious with his action at another. If he has been kind and merciful to David in the past, David may count on his continuing the same in the future. For they have been ever of old. Not lately only, or to David only, have his mercies been shown, but through all past time, to all his servants. 

Justice protects the innocent, who may safely appeal to it for defense or redress. But for the guilty nothing remains but to trust in mercy. Trusting in mercy always implies a deep, heartfelt conviction of personal guilt. Trust this God of mercy whom for your sake sent his only son to become the atoning sacrifice for your sin. 1

Collect for Psalm 115: Lord God, creator and ruler of the universe, you have entrusted the care the earth to its people. Grant that your children surrounded by sings of your presence may live continually in Christ, praising you through him and with him, now and forever. 2

Sources:

Illustration  “The Crucifixion” from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden (The Book of Books in Pictures)

1. Pulpit Commentary, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/25-6.htm

2. Collect for Psalm 115, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and by the Church Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY 

Martin Luther doctor and confessor

 On this day on the church calendar we remember and recall Dr. Martin Luther 

From the Treasury of Daily Prayer copyright Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis p 1219\

O God our refuge and strength; You raised up Your servant Martin Luther to reform and renew the church in the light of Your living Word, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Defend and purify the Church in our own day and grant that we may boldly proclaim Christ's faithfulness unto death and His vindication resurrection; which You made known to Your servant Martin, through Jesus Christ our Lord...

Lent 2 notes

 

Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16
Romans 5:1–11
Mark 8:27–38

Collect for the Second Sunday in Lent—O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

A Prayer for aid against temptation: O God, You justify the ungodly and desire not the death of the sinner. Graciously assist us by Your heavenly aid and evermore shield us with Your protection, that no temptation may separate us from Your love in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

A Prayer in times of temptation: Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by Your Holy Spirit that in our daily needs, and especially in all time of temptation we may seek Your help and, by a true and lively faith in Your Word, obtain all that You have promised; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

By the Cross of Our Lord Jesus, We Inherit Life Everlasting with God 

In His covenant with Abraham, the Lord promised to be with him, to bless him and to make him “the father of a multitude of nations.” It is “an everlasting covenant” in Christ Jesus, the seed of Abraham who is blameless before God Almighty. All who believe in this Lord Jesus are the offspring of Abraham and are blessed “throughout their generations” (Genesis 17:1–7), because the Christ has suffered many things. He was rejected and killed, and after three days He rose again (Mark 8:31). To comprehend this theology of the cross, we must set our minds “on the things of God,” and not “on the things of man” (Mark 8:33). “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Therefore, having been “reconciled to God by the death of his Son,” much more “shall we be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10). 

Baptized into His cross and resurrection, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” and by faith we rejoice in the hope of His glory (Romans 5:1–2).

Mark 8:27–38

Mark 8:27

Καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς καὶ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὰς κώμας Καισαρείας τῆς Φιλίππου· καὶ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ἐπηρώτα τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ λέγων αὐτοῖς· Τίνα με λέγουσιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι εἶναι; 

And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" - 

Jesus doesn't merely ask a question in a vacuum.  In Mark and Luke this is right before the Transfiguration. 

Mark 8:28

οἱ δὲ [a]εἶπαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες [b]ὅτι Ἰωάννην τὸν βαπτιστήν, καὶ ἄλλοι Ἠλίαν, ἄλλοι δὲ [c]ὅτι εἷς τῶν προφητῶν.

And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets." - 

Most powerful would be John...then they descend from there. At that time there was much confusion. They miss the savior because of the signs. Thus Jesus becomes who you want. 

Mark 8:29

καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπηρώτα αὐτούς· Ὑμεῖς δὲ τίνα με λέγετε εἶναι; [e]ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Πέτρος λέγει αὐτῷ· Σὺ εἶ ὁ χριστός.

And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." - 

The confession of faith. 

Not the son of God but the Christ. The Whom but not the how. 

In Mark's gospel no one can speak concerning Jesus until He is dead when He is done with what the Christ is to do.  

Mark 8:30

καὶ ἐπετίμησεν αὐτοῖς ἵνα μηδενὶ λέγωσιν περὶ αὐτοῦ.

And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. - 

A Strong warning. Because they doesn't get it yet.

Mark 8:31

Καὶ ἤρξατο διδάσκειν αὐτοὺς ὅτι δεῖ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου πολλὰ παθεῖν καὶ ἀποδοκιμασθῆναι [f]ὑπὸ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων καὶ τῶν ἀρχιερέων καὶ τῶν γραμματέων καὶ ἀποκτανθῆναι καὶ μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἀναστῆναι·

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. - 

It was necessary, essential to suffer much...a violent suffering.  He begins to teach them. 

Mark 8:32

καὶ παρρησίᾳ τὸν λόγον ἐλάλει. καὶ προσλαβόμενος ὁ Πέτρος αὐτὸν ἤρξατο ἐπιτιμᾶν αὐτῷ.

And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. - 

Jesus speaks the word clearly. 

Mark 8:33

ὁ δὲ ἐπιστραφεὶς καὶ ἰδὼν τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ ἐπετίμησεν [h]Πέτρῳ [i]καὶ λέγει· Ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου, Σατανᾶ, ὅτι οὐ φρονεῖς τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ ἀλλὰ τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man" - 

But turning and seeing. For the sake of the other disciples?  He literally is putting the confession of Satan behind him. 

"The things of God" is the cross. The only other option is "the play things of hell."

Mark 8:34

Καὶ προσκαλεσάμενος τὸν ὄχλον σὺν τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι.

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. - 

Now the crowds... 

Latin for "the cross" is 'excruciating' 

Two options...

Get behind me Satan

Into whose hands the Son will be 

Get behind ME 

deny self

Mark 8:35

ὃς γὰρ [l]ἐὰν θέλῃ τὴν [m]ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δ’ ἂν [n]ἀπολέσει τὴν [o]ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου [p]σώσει αὐτήν. 

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. - 

Whoever wishes for all that he is to live.

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts, ‘The Crucifixion’© WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

LCMS Lectionary notes © 2018

Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

Saturday prior to Lent 1

 

Psalm 46 -The great hymn of the Reformation, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB #656), is our hymn of the day. It reminds us that, though the devil is a formidable foe, one whom we are unable to overcome on our own, he has been defeated by the Word made flesh, our Savior Jesus. ‘Our victory has been won; The Kingdom ours remaineth.’

When Martin Luther created this piece of music, he fully understood the power of Evil. In fact, he had faced many years of trials and persecution. Yet he persevered and faced the threats against his life and his freedom. Within this hymn, he reflects upon Psalm 46 where God is our refuge and strength in time of struggle.

The LORD is certainly our refuge and our strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble!

Collect for the First Sunday in Lent; O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them 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, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen  1

Collect for Psalm 46: Lord God, our refuge and strength when the restless powers of this world and the waters of hell rise up against your holy city, watch over it and keep it safe. By the river that flows from the throne of the Lamb purify this new Jerusalem as your chosen dwelling, for you are with us, our stronghold now and forever.  2

Sources

1. Collect for Lent 1, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

2. Collect for Psalm 46, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book for and by the Church Vol. III ©1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi NY

The Temptation of Jesus copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Philip Melanchton (birth) Confessor

 On the church calendar today we remember Luther's right hand man Philip Melanchton 

From the Treasury of Daily Prayer

Almighty God, we praise you for the service of Philip Melanchton to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church in the renewal of its life in fidelity to Your Word and promise. Raise up in these gray and latter days faithful teachers and pastors, inspired by Your Spirit, whose voices will give strength to Your Church and proclaim the ongoing reality of Your kingdom; through You Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen  

Friday prior to Lent 1

 

Mark 1:9-15 – After our Lord’s Baptism the Spirit led Him into the desert to suffer temptation at the hands of the devil. He endured the same temptations as were presented to Adam and Eve in the Garden – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, as the holy Evangelist John names them. (1 John 2:16) Unlike our first parents (and us), however, He does not give into temptation, but resists the devil with the words of Holy Scripture.

Temptation is a testing of faith. Traditionally, the first Sunday in Lent deals with Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness. The beginning of Jesus’ ministry is an integral part of the baptism and temptation, for it naturally follows both. In his baptism, Jesus was called to his Messiahship. In the temptation he decided how to carry out his mission. The death of John the Baptist gives the immediate occasion for the beginning of his ministry. Mark does not tell us what the temptations were. They are symbolized by the “wild beasts” and the “wilderness.” Though Mark does not say Jesus was victorious, it can be assumed that he was because the angels continually ministered to him throughout the forty-day period.

The word used for temptation means “test.” For forty days Jesus was tested before he began his ministry. When we are tempted our faith is tested. Mark explains that Jesus was “tempted by Satan.” Many think God tempts us because we pray, “Lead us not into temptation.” This is impossible for God desires us to do only what is right and good. Another popular myth is that temptation is a sin. The truth is that yielding to temptation is sin. Every Christian is tempted, even Jesus was. In addition, may hold the opinion that the better Christian you are the less temptation you have. The opposite is the case. The better you are the more you are tempted. Temptation is a trying time requiring a spiritual struggle. It is a wilderness experience in which one fights with wild beasts.  

Prayer for aid against temptation: O God, You justify the ungodly and desire not the death of a sinner. Graciously assist us by Your heavenly aid and evermore shield us with Your protection that no temptation may separate us from Your love in Christ Jesus, Your Son, our Lord. 

Sources

A Prayer for aid against temptation, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

The Temptation of Jesus copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

Philemon and Onesimus

 On the church calendar today we remember and recall Philemon and Onesimus

From the Treasury of Daily Prayer

Lord God, heavenly Father, You sent Onesimus back to Philemon as a brother in Christ, freeing him from the slavery to sin through the preaching of the Apostle St. Paul. Cleanse the depths of sin within our souls and bid resentment cease from past offenses, that by You9r mercy, we may be reconciled to our brothers and sisters and our lives will reflect Your peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

The Temptation of Jesus

 

Mark 1:12-15

Sometimes we can get caught off guard. It’s important to be prepared for anything that might come along. Jesus was prepared. Today’s Gospel is all about how He prepared for His work. 

We are now entering the church season called “Lent.” Lent is a time when we consider how we can love and serve God. 

We focus on the life that Jesus led and the things He did while with us on Earth. 

Jesus took a trip out into the wilderness. His purpose was to prepare His heart for the ministry God was going to have Him do. 

When He went into the wilderness, Jesus didn’t bring a water bottle or sunscreen with Him. In fact, He didn’t even bring food. For forty days he didn’t eat anything!!! 

I would be pretty hungry by the end of that time. Jesus was, too, and Satan came to tempt Him to make and eat bread. But Jesus didn’t give in. He knew it was important to suffer, in order to save us and comfort us. He used His time in the wilderness to get ready for what was ahead.

And that’s our job too. Preparing for what might lie ahead. 

During this season, a lot of people honor Lent by giving up something they enjoy, like TV or chocolate or soda. 

Sometimes people add things on to their schedules, like working with an organization or donating things. The idea is to prepare our hearts and minds. 

Rather than thinking about distracting things, we fix our focus on Christ. As we think about what He endured, we prepare our hearts to celebrate His resurrection at Easter. 

We also think about being prepared to live our lives for God. You never know what He might have in mind. His plans are usually different than what we might think. Whatever happens, we take extra time to pray, read our Bibles, hearing God’s Word, and talk with others for wise advice. We prepare for Lent and prepare for anything!

We Pray 

Lord, Thank you for sending Jesus to live a perfect life.  Thank you that He can help us when we are tempted. Help us to prepare our hearts and minds. So that we can serve you and do your will. Thank you for your love and care. 

Words – 390
Passive Sentences –5.7%
Readability – 83.8%
Reading Level – 4.2

The Temptation of Jesus copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things