FROM THE ORGAN BENCH

By John Penkoske

Hymn of the Month: “40 Days and 40 Nights”

When Jesus was tempted He was probably in the Judean desert—a cruel, hot, barren place with craggy canyons. In biblical times, wild jackals and other beasts may have roamed the area. David hid out in caves there when he ran from King Saul.

This hymn gives a feeling for Jesus’ surroundings as He fasted in the desert. Day in and day out, it must have been very uncomfortable. Yet Jesus had a greater purpose; comfort was not important. He was preparing for a crucial showdown with the devil that would set the tone for his whole ministry.

The Bible says that we can count on Jesus because He “has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). His strength to overcome temptation is available to us as we face temptations. He has been there before us and has won the battle. That assurance can help us not to “faint nor fail.”

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Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.

And when the tempter came to him, he said, “If thou be the Son of God, command

that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said,

“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 4:1-4

Choir Schedule

February 12^th Immanuel-Trinity 8:00am

February 26^th St. Paul’s 10:00am