One Act of Righteousness, Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 5:12-21

St. Paul speaks of the one act of righteousness of Jesus in his epistle to the Romans. What does this act encompass? Is it only a reference to the crucifixion or is there a an underlying reality within the one act of Jesus? What does his temptation have to do with this? So many questions flowing from the texts for this First Sunday in Lent and Father Jeremiah examines them in this sermon that considers the one act of righteousness.

Image: Temptation of Christ, 12th century mosaic in basilica di San Marco, anonimus, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, and the Beautiful, Matthew 4.1-11, Romans 5.12-21

As Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted, he was going out to do what Adam had failed at doing. Jesus was going out to resist temptation on behalf of his people, so that all who are united to him, might become resisters of temptation as well. Paul explains this in Romans 5, that Jesus has become the second and greater Adam by his act of obedience. Father Jeremiah tells us more in this week’s sermon.

Image: Temptation of Christ by Vasily Surikov, 1872. Public Domain. Location: https://www.wikiart.org/en/vasily-surikov/temptation-of-christ-1872

Redemptive Conflict, Amos 3.1-11, Matthew 4.12-22

As Jesus enters into his Galillean ministry, he preaches about repentance in light of the coming of the Kingdom of God. What does this mean, especially when coupled with Amos 3.1-11? We see that God enters into conflict with his people in order to bring about their redemption. Find out more from Father Jeremiah in this sermon.

Image: Christ Preaching in the Temple, Russia (MSTERA). Location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Icon_of_Jesus_among_the_Doctors_(Mstera,_c._1800).jpg