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March 6, 2025

Our Failures and God’s Faithfulness

Candice Marie Benbow   |   Read Luke 4:1-13

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Lectionary Week
March 3–9, 2025
Scripture Overview

As we begin the Lenten season, the practice of fasting and denying ourselves for forty days can seem harrowing. All the texts for this week remind us that we do not embark on this journey alone. God goes with us. We start the week with the texts for Ash Wednesday, with Isaiah admonishing us to ensure that we are on this journey for the sole reason of drawing closer to God. As we step deeper into Lent, the remaining passages emphasize the humanity that we bring to this season of fasting. Luke reminds us that we are not walking a new path. Jesus has already gone before us.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Psalm 51:1-7. How do you work to free yourself of any guilt you may have from past mistakes? How do you help to foster that same feeling in others?
• Read 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10. What kinds of problems have you endured because of your faith? How have those struggles influenced your understanding of what salvation is and how it is received?
• Read Luke 4:1-13. Are you aware of times when distractions derailed previous fasts? What did you learn from those experiences? How can those lessons help you on this fast and in the future?
• Read Deuteronomy 26:1-11. Remember a time when God answered a prayer and a deep longing of your heart. How did it make you feel? How did you mark the experience?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Luke 4:1-13

1 Jesus returned from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. 2 There he was tempted for forty days by the devil. He ate nothing during those days and afterward Jesus was starving. 3 The devil said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 Jesus replied, “It’s written,People won’t live only by bread.” 5 Next the devil led him to a high place and showed him in a single instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 The devil said, “I will give you this whole domain and the glory of all these kingdoms. It’s been entrusted to me and I can give it to anyone I want. 7 Therefore, if you will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It’s written,You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” 9 The devil brought him into Jerusalem and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down from here; 10 for it’s written: He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you 11 and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.” 12 Jesus answered, “It’s been said,Don’t test the Lord your God.” 13 After finishing every temptation, the devil departed from him until the next opportunity.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

We live in a world where every experience has to be posted online. If you don’t show proof to your followers on social media, then it didn’t happen. People can become so intent on capturing a moment that they miss being present in it. Everything must be manufactured for public...

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Loving God, help me be honest about my motivations and intentions. I never want to stray from what I truly want—more of you. Help me to draw closer to you and to your love. Amen.


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