This passage occurs in the Narrative Lectionary, Year 1, Most recently Jan 17, 2015)
I have written on Matthew 4:1-17 twice before:
Matthew 4:1-11
Matthew 4:13-23
Two notes for Narrative Lectionary 2015:
1) There is plenty of law
in this text. First, there is a struggle against temptation. Second, there is the call both in word and deed to a total
commitment to God. Before you get too geared up, remember this text is used here as an Epiphany and
not Lent I text. Thus I think the focus should be illuminating something about Christ's identity; in this case, as the one who overcomes temptation.
2) The NL includes Matthew 4:17, a call to repentance. If one feels compelled to go in the law direction, I think looking at the bookends of the story is very helpful: It begins with Jesus baptism and ends with a call to repentance. Our own call to fight temptation, to repent, to struggle against sin, is grounded in our Baptism.
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