Theme of the Day: Against the Rock of Obedience, Temptation Is Crushed
It was a custom known as “battle by champion.” Two opposing armies would each send out their best warrior to fight each other. That is what we see this week. The demons send their champion: Satan. Humanity’s best warrior, Jesus Christ, steps forward to meet him. In this fight he does not use his divine power. He uses the same weapon we have, God’s Word. Because Christ fought the battle against Satan as one of us, he won that battle for all of us. Jesus is our perfect substitute. Even as the devil still seethes in rage against us, we can face him and his temptations unafraid, confident that our champion has already won the victory.
Luke 4:1-13
1 Samuel 17:4-11,32-40,45-49
Hebrews 4:14-16.
Psalm 91
871 – Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You
863 – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
545 – O Love, How Deep
842 – Jesus, Still Lead On
951 – Lord, Now You Let Your Servant
819 – If God Himself Be for Me
Prayer of the Day: Mighty God and Father, our Lord Jesus walked into the wilderness to face the devil’s temptations, but he did not succumb to Satan’s lies or falter in his resolve to save the world from the prison of hell. Bolster our faith by his mighty victory that we may battle against the forces of evil with courage and confidence; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Gospel Acclamation: The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.