The First Sunday in Lent establishes the pattern for the Church’s great penitential season. For those who keep the Lenten fast, we remember that the Lord’s Day is not a fast day, but a feast.
The Old Testament Reading to the Epistle and Gospel: After hearing of Adam’s sin and promise of a Savior in Genesis 3, we are called to fix their eyes on Jesus. If we fix our eyes on ourselves, we will see only the disobedience wrought in us by the sin of Adam (Rom 5:19a). If, on the other hand, we fix our eyes on Jesus, we will see the perfect obedience (Rom 5:19b) of him who took our blame upon himself, a burden he bore all the way to the cross.
Christ Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, which took place immediately following his Baptism. This sermon makes the connection in light of the Old Testament scapegoat. In Jesus’ Baptism, God laid on his back the sin of all mankind.
Text: Matthew 4:1–11
Other Lessons: Genesis 3:1–21; Psalm 32:1–7; Romans 5:12–19
Rev. HOG 
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