Matthew 4:17

Posted by DJL on Jan 24, 2014 in Daily Bread | 0 comments

From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

From temptation to proclamation. It’s an interesting move.

Actually, there are two events that happen just prior to the commencement of Jesus’ mission and the announcement of the coming kingdom. The first is Jesus’ baptism, when the voice from heaven declares his identity and promises God’s presence. The second is temptation, when the devil attempts to undermine his trust in God. And I suspect we shouldn’t separate these two.

Affirmation and struggle. Acceptance and challenge. Commendation and temptation. The life of faith includes both. Ultimately, we are blessed in order that we can endure our struggles, affirmed that we can weather challenges, loved that we can remain steadfast in love even amid temptation.

When Martin Luther reviewed the classic “marks of the church” he kept them more or less as they had been for centuries, changing almost nothing except that he added one more mark. In addition to the preaching of the word and administration of the sacraments and the rest, Luther added just one thing more: “struggle.” The true church, he believed, would always experience struggle if it were indeed about the business of God in a fallen world.

So also in this scene. From both the affirmation of baptism and the struggle of temptation springs Jesus’ proclamation of God’s coming kingdom. So it was, so it is, and so, I suspect, shall it always be this side of glory.

Prayer: Dear God, you have equipped and prepared us to struggle, endure, and even flourish amid the challenges of this age. Remind us of your love, that we may not only bear the burdens of the day but also and especially share your love with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.