A Time Of Reflection For Redeemed Sinners

"Today's Devotion" For March 1, 2006

Read: Luke 4:1-13; Hebrews 2:10-18

A TIME OF REFLECTION FOR REDEEMED SINNERS

"For we do not have a high priest who us unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

In the calendar of the Christian Church, the forty days (not counting Sundays) preceding Easter are called "Lent." It's a time of self-examination and repentance based upon the forty days of temptation by the devil that Jesus endured in the wilderness as part of His perfect obedience for our salvation. It's a time, just as the other seasons of the Church Year, for focusing on a particular theme, not because we should only think of these things once a year, but because it helps us in our spiritual weaknesses to focus on the reason that Jesus went to the Cross. Such a "tradition" is a good thing and in keeping with the principles of remembering that God established for Israel's worship life in the Old Testament and is still in use today (ex. - Passover, Day of Atonement, Pentecost).

For the Christian Church, the season of Lent is a time for somber reflection on the reason for Jesus' birth, life, suffering, death, and resurrection. We are reminded that He took on our humanity - our human flesh - yet without sin, so that we might receive all the benefits of God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness which lead to eternal life. Over these next 40 days of spiritual reflection we will be preparing, once again, for the culmination of our reflection and remembering in the awesome, joyous celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter, marking the Father's acceptance Christ's sacrifice and giving us, by faith, the sure assurance and hope of eternity with Jesus in heaven.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent. It gets its name from the Church's tradition of using this first day of Lent as a way to focus the people of God on their mortality, their sinfulness, their need for repentance and forgiveness, and their need for a Savior. Over the last two millennia of the Christian Church the Ash Wednesday worship tradition has included the imposition of ashes upon the foreheads of those who desire it as a reminder of our sinful mortality before God. It stands in sharp contrast to the celebration of Easter - death because of Sin; Resurrection because the chains of Sin are broken. While there are some within the Christian Church who "pooh - pooh" Ash Wednesday and Lent as "pagan" observances not commanded by God, God's people have always believed that taking the time to "remember" is essential for keeping us focused on God.

Jesus' temptation in the wilderness over forty days by the devil is recorded in great detail by both Matthew (chapter 4) and Luke (chapter 4), indicating the critical nature of this event for our salvation. Having been baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan, both evangelists tell us that Jesus was immediately led by the Spirit into the wilderness to face the devil's temptations. Jesus' ministry and journey to the Cross begins at the Jordan with the Father declaring Him to be His Son, and the Spirit coming upon Him. His baptism was necessary "to fulfill all righteousness" (Mt. 3:15), an act of obedience to the Father's Will. His temptation in the wilderness, as the true and obedient Son of the Father that Israel, and we, could never be, was essential to break the power of Sin and Satan so that humanity could be restored and redeemed back to the Father.

Today, as we begin another season of Lent on this Ash Wednesday, we are again blessed to remember the willingness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to take on our human flesh, put Himself completely under the will of the Father, and subject Himself fully and completely to God's Law in perfect obedience and holiness. The power of God's Word to help us overcome temptation is clearly demonstrated by our Lord. Its power drove the devil away, preparing the way for his ultimate defeat when Jesus died on the Cross, paying in full the final and ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world. Jesus' temptation in the wilderness sets the stage for His triumphant and victorious resurrection on Easter. As we reflect on Christ's suffering for us, may we also be moved to a life of greater faithfulness and hope, gaining strength for each day, confidence in every trial and temptation, and courage to share God's love and forgiveness unflinchingly with others.

Prayer: Father, I thank You that You sent Jesus to take on my human flesh, put Himself under the Law in total humility and perfect obedience in my place, and go the way of the Cross that I may receive Your forgiveness, know Your love, grace, and mercy, and have a sure and certain hope of heaven. Remind me as I remember His "state of humiliation" that He did it all for me and that You accepted His sacrifice for my sins and the sins of the whole world once and for all time. Give me strength and courgae in the power of Your Word that I might follow Jesus example in facing the temptations of the devil, the world, and my own sinful flesh. Let the power of Your Word and Spirit abound in me so that I may never flinch or fail in my living and witnessing to Your salvation for the world in Christ Jesus, my Savior and Lord, in whose precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.