1st Sunday in Lent
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
If you trust me, Jesus of Nazareth – somewhat says the devil – this is what is in for you. Conniving son of a gun. Humanity has always fallen for it (see the Genesis reading). He must have thought Jesus would do the same. I don’t blame him. He has always done it this way and it has worked pretty well so far. Silly devil, this battle was lost before it began.
Since a stretch of the Gospel of John is coming to us this Lent, it is worthy to remember who Jesus is. If we substitute “word” for “Jesus” in John’s prologue (chapter 1, verses 1-5) we got a testament to Jesus’s power and authority. He will not fall into the quid pro quo deals of this world. The devil should know that, right? Maybe he is so clouded by his own ways that he forgot that God has done something that God has never done before, come down in human form to show us the way to be in a relationship with one another and with God.
This new covenant in Jesus’ blood was never meant to be transactional. Indeed, it is written, God wants to teach us so we may live well, and there is cause and consequence in the natural order of creation, but God in Jesus Christ is the inauguration of a new era, a new creation, the promise of abundant and everlasting life to all who believe, as a free gift. That is the definitive and everlasting promise.
In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul points to the seismic shift brought by this free gift. It took one act of man to condemn all for generations and generations. Now Jesus’ one act of loving obedience assures justification, that is, righteousness, the forgiveness of sins, and life for all.
Indeed, trust in the Lord equals being soaked in his steadfast love (Psalm 32).
Bridging Faith 