A Champion for the Defeated could be none other than Jesus. In this blog post I want to focus on his opponent. Remember, someone has to lose, and in this case the loser is the devil. Don’t worry, we’ll get to the defeated in a second.
Who is this devil, character? Oddly enough a lot of American Christians (59%) don’t even believe he is real. He is very real, but in our culture it’s in his best interest to NOT walk down the street with horns and a pitch fork, he’ll let pop stars and other entertainers do that. We should not give him too much credit because he is not God. He is a fallen angel. You are no match for him on your own. In these temptations you’ll see his power on display.
Let’s talk about us! A Champion for the defeated. Jesus is the champion, so who’s the defeated? That would be us. In all of these temptations we have already lost numerous times. If you were with us on Ash Wednesday, you schmeared the free ashes on your forehead as a reminder that THAT is what you are because of your sin.
I had two brothers, we would watch sporting events routinely. More often than not our team would let us down, and my mom would come in and remind us that someone has to lose. We can’t always win. Thanks mom. Today the person who has to lose is the devil.
Just before our sermon this morning we sang the hymn of the day appointed for the first Sunday in Lent – Marty Luther’s classic, A Mighty Fortress. Ein Feste Burg. The picture is that of Psalm 46. God is our refuge and strength – and every present help in trouble. We are safe because of God. FF to verse three:
Though devils all the world should fill,
all eager to devour us,
we tremble not, we fear no ill;
they shall not overpow’r us.
The prince of darkness still
may scowl fierce as he will,
his raging harms us none.
He’s judged; the deed is done;
one little word can fell him.
There is some debate as to what Marty meant by that one little when he penned the hymn. Was it Jesus… grace… faith? There are many who believe it was liar. Don’t believe the lie. To see how Jesus parries the lies of the devil and wields the truth watch this week’s message taken from Matthew 4 – A Champion for the Defeated.
Book(s): Matthew
Tag(s): Lent
Speaker(s): Fred Guldberg