Remember, the clocks spring forward this Sunday!

All are welcome to join us for service on Sunday, March 9 starting at 10 am.  We have Sunday School for the children and there is coffee and a chance to visit after the service.  We hope that you can join us.

Here are Rev. Marlene’s thoughts on the upcoming service.

Marlene’s Rev. Notes:

“Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” Luke 4:4

The Gospel reading today describes the testing, or temptation, of Jesus in the desert. Like the ancient Israelites’ desert experience, Jesus experiences hunger, which lays the foundation for the first test.  After encouraging Jesus to turn stones into bread, the devil quotes Deuteronomy 8:3 when he says, “Man does not live by bread alone.”  Jesus connects his own rejection of the devil’s encouragement with the Israelites’ complete dependence on God during their wandering in the desert.

The next test concerns power and glory.  As the first reading reminds us, God’s care for the ancient Israelites manifested itself in his demonstration of power and might over the Egyptians, revealing his glory to all the nations.  The devil tempts Jesus with similar power and glory if Jesus would worship him.  Jesus’ response is another quote from Deuteronomy (6:13) which speaks to the rejection of other gods and the acceptance of Israel’s God as the one and only God.  In contrast to the ancient Israelites, Jesus never swerves in his obedience to the One true God.

The last test pertains to God’s care for God’s own.  The devil quotes portions of Psalm 91:11-12 that refer to God’s care of King David, whom God called his adopted son.  The connection to Jesus as God’s Son is clear since today’s Gospel passage follows closely behind Jesus’ baptism, where God publicly proclaimed Jesus as his beloved Son (Luke 3:21-22).  Once again, Jesus turns to Deuteronomy (6:16) to reject the devil’s misuse of Scripture, stating, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”  While the ancient Israelites sought proof of God’s continued care and murmured against God when they experienced hardships in the desert, Jesus did not set limits or criteria for God’s care.  In times of adversity, Jesus displays complete dependence on God, steadfast faith, and no doubt that God really cares for him. What about us?