Daily Readings - Sun Mar 10 2019
Deuteronomy
4And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the LORD thy God.5And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:6And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:7And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:8And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:9And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.10And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:
Romans
8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Luke
1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,2Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.3And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.4And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.5And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.6And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.7If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.8And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.9And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:10For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:11And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.12And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.13And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we journey through themes of gratitude, faith, and temptation, each offering insights into our relationship with God. The first reading from Deuteronomy recounts the Israelites' history, from their humble beginnings in Egypt to their deliverance and the gift of the Promised Land. This passage is part of Moses' farewell speech, urging the people to remember God's providence and to express gratitude through the offering of first fruits. It reminds us to reflect on our own journey, acknowledging God's hand in our lives.
The second reading from Romans emphasizes the universality of salvation. Paul highlights that faith is not just an inward belief but also a public confession. He underscores that all, regardless of background, can call upon the Lord and be saved. This teaching challenges us to share our faith openly and to embrace the unity Christ brings, transcending any divisions.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus facing temptation in the wilderness. Jesus, though hungry and vulnerable, resists the devil's offers by relying on Scripture. This narrative illustrates the essence of faith—trusting God's word above worldly allurements. It serves as a model for us to remain steadfast in our faith, especially during trials.
These readings intertwine to remind us that faith is both personal and communal. Like the Israelites, we should gratefully remember God's blessings. Like Paul, we must confess our faith courageously. And like Jesus, we must trust God's word in the face of temptation. May we apply these lessons daily, nurturing a faith that is thankful, courageous, and unwavering, guiding us to live as true disciples of Christ.