The Cost: of the Battle

Lent is a time for reflection and repentance. Today in our readings and hymns, our great need of righteousness is driven home. The temptations of this world are alluring. Appetite. Avarice. Ambition. The devil’s tricks have not changed. We long for wealth, honor, power, pleasure, and respect. Yet we cannot acquire what satisfies. We need something greater, someone better. In our Gospel text, the Valiant One faces the Tempter and emerges unscathed. He battled, yet was without sin, for us and for our salvation. The Prayer of the Day sets the tone for the Sunday: the ancient foe warred on mankind in the garden, but God promised to send a champion to battle on our behalf. The Second Adam came to do what the first could not. The Valiant One holds the field forever. Our Champion has accomplished what might of ours has not and could not do. He stared down Satan and triumphed over evil. All for us!