|
Date |
Readings |
What's in
the
Message? |
February 17
Ash Wednesday |
Genesis 3:1-19
Romans 5:12-17
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
Luke 1:34-38, 2:1-12
|
Jesus’ Conception and Birth: The devil looks at the conception
and birth of Jesus as sheer weakness on the part of God. That God would
stoop so low as to become human to save humanity is beyond the devil’s
comprehension. The devil believes he has the upper hand against God
because of the weakness of mankind. He tempted Adam and Eve and they
fell, he can tempt Jesus and maybe he will fall. Thanks be to God,
that he sent his son to be the second Adam and overcome sin, death and
the devil.
|
|
February 24 |
Deuteronomy 8:1-3
1 Corinthians 10:12-13
Luke 4:1-13
|
The Temptation: On this evening we will get a glimpse of the
devil’s real “modus operandi” or mode of operation. As in the Garden of
Eden the devil seeks to cast doubt on the goodness of God and what God
has said in his Word. The devil questions Jesus’ divinity, tempting him
to misuse his divine power. But Jesus answers the devil using God’s
Word. Jesus gives us the answer to temptation: God’s Word!
|
|
March
3 |
Lamentations 3:1-9, 22-33
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Luke 22:39-46 |
The Garden of Gethsemane: The devil taunts Jesus with his
impending trials and death. “Go ahead, Jesus — pray for another way!”
the devil says. But there was no other way. Jesus did have to suffer and
die. It was the only way to pay the price for ALL sin. Where we want our
way and our will done, Jesus did his Father’s will for us.
|
|
March
10 |
Isaiah 50:5-7
Acts 4:5-12
Luke 22:63-71 |
Jesus Trial before the Sanhedrin: The devil seizes the
opportunity to tempt Jesus again. “Why go through all this, Jesus –
the mockery, pain, the humiliation? After all, you don’t have to do it.
Why go through all this for sinful, rebellious mankind? Just look at how
they are treating you now, Jesus, and you are willing to suffer all this
for them?”
|
|
March
17 |
Isaiah 42:1-4
1 Peter 4:12-14
Luke 23:1-24 |
Jesus Trial before Pilate: “Say something, Jesus!”
Again the devil wants Jesus to misuse his divine power. The devil thinks
that if Jesus is confronted by real human power he will have no choice
but to retaliate? But all he’s doing is just standing there, weak and
beaten. He talks with Pilate about his kingdom not being of this world
and something about Truth. Finally the devil gets a break. Pilate lets
the people choose between Jesus and Barabbas. “Yes, crucify Him!”
The devil thinks to himself, “Let’s see if he will be able to endure
the cross!”
|
| March
24 |
Isaiah 53:1-12
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Luke 23:26-49
|
The Crucifixion: Jesus is on the cross. “My final
temptation,” the devil thinks. “Come down from the cross! Stop
the agony and suffering! You have it in your power! Why continue this
for them! Wait – He’s dead, He’s dead! No, this cannot be happening. He
actually died. He sacrificed himself for the sin of the world, like a
spotless lamb he did it! My head feels like it has been crushed!”
|
