Home > Reading > The Daily Lectionary – April 14, 2016

matthew4-4

Exodus 20:1-21; Colossians 1:24-2:7; Matthew 4:1-11

Words, words, words; we are surrounded by words every day. Reading the texts for today I am struck by the juxtaposition of the Exodus and Gospel texts. Moses is replaced by Satan and Jesus is the servant Messiah being tempted to disobey the very same laws Moses brings to the people.

However, like a well tailored suit, this juxtaposition is woven into the fabric of our lives. As saints and sinners, we know all too well the struggle. Daily the flesh, the world, and the devil tempt us to exchange our words for the Father’s word. Aside from Christ the fight is lost. Thankfully, the Father does not abandon us to the world nor to ourselves. For the wisdom that Paul speaks of is the abiding of Christ Jesus within his children, transforming us into his image rather than that of the disobedient one. This wisdom is not of ourselves, but of the living Word, who gives us everything in himself. So then, let us take heart, for the Spirit writes his Word upon our hearts, breathes his life into us, and sends us out to live as disciples where love is both the means and the end of our lives in Christ, the obedient Son of God.

Prayer: Father in heaven, help me by your Holy Spirit to cling to your words rather than my own, for you alone give life and satisfaction. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Phillip Gagnon, pastor of St. Albert Lutheran Church, St. Albert, Alberta, Canada.

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