Victory (Lent Devotion 2021)

“JESUS SAID TO HIM. “AWAY FROM ME SATAN!FOR IT IS WRITTEN; ‘WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.” THEN THE DEVIL LEFT HIM AND ANGELS CAME AND ATTENDED HIM.” (MATTHEW 4:10-11)

Jesus is victorious over temptation! Jesus is victorious over the devil! Jesus is victorious over death! In remembering our sin this Lenten season, we will have no doubt remembered times when we were not victorious over temptation. It is distressing to realize that even after our baptism and even after many times of hearing the Gospel, we still fail. It is easy for us to harp on others who do the same. We would like to see immediate progress in the lives of people who formerly lived without God and now believe. But, it does not work that way. There are too many instances in our ministry on the Navajo Nation where people return to their old habits.

To take stock of the many times we have not resisted temptation can be a gloomy exercise. However, God is inviting us to see that Jesus’ victory over temptation accomplishes things in our lives in (at least) two ways. Firstly, that Jesus knew no sin, and thus was able to be the perfect final offering in our place (2 Cor. 5:21).

Secondly, that when we do resist temptation, it is because of the power of God in us, and not our own strength (Phil. 2:13). The Gospel is so powerful that it works in spite of us.

Lent’s 40 days do not include the Sundays. The reason why is that Sundays are always a celebration of Jesus’ victory. Praise God for His victory and for what it means for me and you.

Prayer: Jesus lives! For me He died, Hence will I, to Jesus living, Pure in heart and act abide. Praise to Him and glory giving. All I need God will dispense; This shall be my confidence. (LSB 490 stanza 3)

Rev. Tim Norton
Navajo, New Mexico