Lent calls us to face our unrevealed and underlying selves, to stare at the creatures we dread lurking inside us. The shadows of the season cloak us again in their solemn embrace. In our Lenten pilgrimage, we seek to expose our souls, perceiving the wild places within, sometimes unveiled only in those junctures when we […]
Matthew 4:1-11: Not By Bread Alone
March 8, 2017 by
Such a generous offer the Devil makes, proposing to share the stage of God with Jesus Christ. The Devil can be such a charmer, offering our Lord bread, glory, and sparing Him the suffering yet to come. Why? So we will be without our Savior’s Word. The Deceiver whispers, “You don’t need to do this, […]
Genesis 3:1-21, Matthew 4:1-11: Jesus Succeeds where Adam Failed
February 22, 2015 by
Can you believe it? The serpent attacks, not through brute force, but through words. And Adam just stands there. He doesn’t say or do anything. He just stands there next to Eve as the serpent twists the truth. Did you catch that in our Old-Testament reading? After Eve tasted the forbidden fruit, she gave some […]
Matthew 4:1-11: Jesus Being Tempted for You
March 9, 2014 by
“Do you renounce the devil?” “Do you renounce all his works?” “Do you renounce all his ways?” The pastor asks those questions to each person being saved through the Word in the waters of holy baptism (LSB, pg 270). And so I ask you this day, “Do you renounce the devil and all his works […]
Genesis 3:1-21: Addicted to Sin
February 18, 2013 by
We began our 40-day journey to Easter this past Wednesday. On that night, we heard solemn words from the Prophet Joel, calling all to repent. Joel said, “Sound the horn in Zion! Announce a sacred fast and call for a solemn assembly! Gather the people! Consecrate the congregation! Assemble the aged. Gather the children and […]
Mark 1:9-15: Jesus Faces Down the Tempter
February 26, 2012 by
The water from the Jordan River slowly trickled off our Lord’s wet hair. The hot, wilderness sand glued itself to His damp, walking feet. Behind Him, the well-known river snaked along. Before Him, the ancient serpent lay in wait. Still wet with baptismal water, Jesus boldly goes into the desert of temptation. This is when […]
