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Let Us Prepare Ourselves For Battle - Be Steady & Firm In the Word

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. Matthew 4:1 

To some, it seems so easy. The God-man Christ Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the evil one. Surely, the God of all creation could easily withstand the deceptions and enticements of one of His created, fallen angels. 

But what seems so easy was in fact a monumental victory. Jesus did not face the evil one as true God. He faced him as true man. He set aside His divine nature so that His victory against temptation could be our victory. He was isolated and alone. He had fasted during this time of trial. His only companions were the wild animals of the wilderness. Many of them perhaps looked upon Him in His vulnerable state as their next meal, waiting to pick what was left on His bones. 

Only three of the evil one’s temptations are recorded in Scripture. But those display the insidious nature of our opponent. He uses half-truths and deceptions. He even is brazen enough to twist God’s very word to try to gain advantage. He wanted nothing more than to keep our Savior from carrying out the will of the Father and from fulfilling His very mission in coming in the flesh into His creation. 

But our Savior did not best him by silencing his mouth with a flash of lightning. Jesus did not call down legions of angels to subdue him. He did not instantly cast the evil one into hell. No, Jesus faced His temptor like a man. The weapon He chose for battle was the word of God. He defeated the foe by repeatedly saying, “It is written….” 

He did so for us. Our Savior did not allow Himself to be led astray by appeals to pride or reputation, by attempts to get Him to test His Father’s love, or even by promises of a better earthly life that would not lead to death on a cross. No, through the forty days of temptations, the Father could still declare, “This is My Son, with Him I am well pleased.” He was obedient to the Father’s will, and this obedience has been credited to our account. 

He did so for us. Jesus served as our example of how to thwart the lies and deceptions of the evil one. We are to speak the truth, to speak the word of God, to use the word to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. As Martin Luther would proclaim, “One little word can fell him.” The truth will always deaden the alluring of temptations. 

Let us then prepare ourselves for battle. Let us strengthen, comfort, and encourage one another with the word. Let our feet be ready with the gospel of peace as we wield the sword of the Spirit. Blessings as you grow in your knowledge of Christ and infaith. 

Frank Van Brocklin 

Principal/Staff Minister

Coming up at Immanuel Lutheran School: 

Thursday, February 23 Faculty Meeting 

Friday, February 24 ILS Spirit Week Pep Rally

Saturday, February 25 NLHS Basketball Tournament

Monday - Friday February 27 - March 3 No Bus Service

Friday, March 3 All Sports Night

Carey Hartwig