Lent 1A - First Thoughts

Lent 1A

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11

Our Old Testament lesson is a marvelous lesson to begin the season of Lent. On Wednesday night we were confronted with our own sinfulness, the blackness of our hearts without the light of Christ. By receiving ashes, we were confessing our own sinful behavior, recognizing that without Christ's righteousness we are but a pile of filthy rags. Before we begin the journey toward redemption, we must first understand our condition without Christ. The narrative of the fall shows us the selfish and disobedient condition of the human heart. Humanity is in need of a Savior because we continually misunderstand the Creator-creation relationship. Since the beginning of time, humanity has sought to become like God in inappropriate ways.

At the same time, Psalm 32 reminds of the remedy for sin--confession.

32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

Unlike Adam and Eve who attempted to hide their nakedness, the Psalmist acknowledges his sinful condition. Instead of hiding his sin, he confesses it. Instead of wasting away because of his guilt, he is forgiven. The Psalmist uses his own experience of sin-confession-forgiveness to encourage the reader to acknowledge their own sinfulness and receive that same forgiveness.

Our lesson from Romans solidifies this point, particularly in regards to the Christological solution. Death came through Adam's disobedience, life came through Christ's obedience to the Father. While all became sinners through Adam's disobedience, Scripture only uses the word many to describe those who receive the free gift. The sins must be confessed and the gift (of Christ) received in order to receive new life.

It is the Gospel lesson which will be the focus of our time together this week. The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness provides the backdrop for the Lenten season. Christ's forty-day fast sets the example for our own self-denial. But the question we must struggle with this week is this: What role does the temptation play in the formula of redemption? In other words, is Christ's temptation important to the salvation of humanity?

In the Gospel account, we see the antithesis to the narrative of the fall. Instead of the first Adam, this temptation narrative is about the second Adam. Our setting is not the lush Garden of Eden, but the desert wilderness. Instead of an abundance of food and life, we read of a forty-day fast in a barren wasteland.

The Good News is that the Second Adam (Christ) did not succumb to temptation. Otherwise, He would be unable to provide the needed response to the sinful condition created at the fall. It is his obedience to the Father which provides the antidote to man's disobedience. It is His selflessness which absolves us of our selfishness. His humility redeems our pride. His faithfulness to God's word provides life--whereas Adam's choice to ignore God's word provided death.

It is ironic that the gift of life had to be provided through Christ's death. It was only because of His death that he could conquer the grave. Only through temptation that He could conquer sin. The Good News is that because Christ conquered sin and death, we have hope of holiness and new life.

Grace and Peace,

PastorJon