First Sunday in Lent (1879)

There are now many who no longer want to believe that there is a devil, much less that the devil could affect mankind. Anyone who currently professes to believe this is called a superstitious man in the would-be enlightened world. From where does this probably come? Apparently not because this belief would be irrational. One must himself certainly admit the reason that the existence of other rational beings than men, good and evil spirits, therefore such creatures are very likely, as are angels according to Holy Scripture. The real reason why one wants no longer to believe in the existence and the effects of these invisible creatures is therefore none other than hostility against God's Word, on which the certainty of this belief is alone founded. Precisely the denial of the existence of a devil is a proof for the devil; for when a wily, seductive spirit seeks to persuade mankind he does not exist, he does so in order that he could have more interrupted work in them. True Christians, however, believe not only in the existence of the devil, but, and this is the most glorious in their faith, even this, that the devil is overcome by Christ. Today's Gospel contains, among other things, a delightful divine testimony. Matthew 4:1-11 Christ in battle with the devil, as He proves Himself: 1. as our High Priest, a. from which we learn: . that Christ was not tempted by the devil until then, when He had assumed His office and had been declared by God the Father as the Savior of the world1, . that the "Spirit" Himself led Him in battle with the devil2, . that Christ did not fight against the devil and defeat him merely with His omnipotence, but in the manner of the state of His humiliation3; b. how important this was for us, and we thus see: . that this battle was part of the work of redemption4; that He namely was making a duel for Satan for the case of the human race, as had the fight between David and Goliath for Israel, and that atoned for our defeat through it and freedom from the bondage of Satan was purchased for us, . that we should acquire Christ's victory in faith, and . that the power is purchased for us also to fight this battle with the devil;

1 2

Matthew 4:1 ("Then"), cf. Matthew 3:13-17. ibid. 3 Matthew 4:2ff. 4 Genesis 3:15.

2. as our forerunner and example; for this battle of Christ, the Head of Christians, shows a. that even Christians are tempted by Satan, b. how he will try, namely . where, . when, . how often and, . wherein, c. how they should fight, namely . through the Word and . through faith, d. what are the consequences of your struggle for it with Word and faith, . the devil is defeated by them from the field and he must flee from them, and . they experience the most splendid refreshment and strengthening after a victorious battle.