Preparing for Worship - February 26, 2023

This Sunday is the First Sunday in Lent, and our focus changes to the specific work of Jesus to break the power of sin and Satan and bring the Lord’s forgiveness to us. The Old Testament lesson is Genesis 3:1-21, the story of the fall into sin. The devil, Satan, identified in Revelation 12:9 as “that ancient serpent,” came to Eve and asked what God actually said when he gave the command about the tree in the garden. He manages to confuse her about God’s Word and then directly contradicts that Word and offers her something that sounds very pleasing to her, if she would eat of the forbidden tree. She thinks in her mind and then eats of the tree, and Adam, who was with her, also eats. Sin had thus come into the world, with all of its many consequences, including Adam and Eve being divided from one another and from God. God spoke of the consequences, including a corrupted creation and death, but also gave the first Gospel promise, that Satan would eventually be defeated by an Offspring of Eve. God also showed His care even for sinners, by clothing Adam and Eve.

In the psalm, Psalm 32, David spoke of the agony of trying to cover up his own sin by himself. He was consumed by guilt, until he finally confessed his transgressions to the Lord and received His forgiveness. Several words to describe sin are used in this short passage: transgression, iniquity, deceit, and sin itself. Even David’s silence was a sin. God’s forgiveness is described as sin being “covered” and “not being counted against” David and as a cleansing of his spirit. God becomes his Deliverer and Preserver from trouble and a Hiding Place for him. David then offers prayer to God and knows that he is blessed, as he trust in the Lord (v.10, after today’s reading).

Paul, in Romans 5:12-19, explains how sin and death came into the world through Adam and then death spread to all people, because everyone sinned. Even though there was not yet the Law given to Moses, people still did wrong, violating the natural knowledge of God and His will written in their hearts and on their consciences (Romans 1:19-20, 2:12-15). Adam was a “type” of Christ, because his one sin brought sin and condemnation for all. “Through his disobedience, the many (all) were made sinners.” In contrast, “by Christ’s righteousness and obedience” (and His saving work on the cross and in His resurrection) “the many will be made righteous.” He has done enough to save and forgive all sin and all people. And “those who receive the abundance of grace  and the free gift of righteousness reign in life” (not death) “through the one man Jesus Christ.”

In the Gospel lesson, Matthew 4:1-11, we see Jesus being led into a time of temptation by the Holy Spirit. In contrast, we pray, “Lead us not into temptation.” Jesus had to battle Satan directly and be tempted as we are, yet without sinning, and fulfill all righteousness in our place (Matthew 3:15 and Hebrews 4:15). Jesus had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and clearly “was hungry.” Satan tried a temptation about food and other temptations, even quoting Scripture (out of context) and identifying Jesus for Who he really was, “the Son of God,” but Jesus resisted him every time, using the truth of Scripture passages against him. Jesus was a true man, as well as God’s Son, and these temptations were not at all easy for him. When Satan left for a time, angels came and were ministering to Jesus.