If we look at today's reading through a lens of Law and Gospel we will see that they fit together quite well. Notice how in Malachi we see all manner of ways the people try to make excuses for their neglect and disrespect of the Lord. We have dishonored God and brought ourselves under his righteous condemnation. Is this part and parcel of being human? Not in any way. Jesus, the perfect Son of Man, when tempted by the devil, a formidable foe indeed, confronts him with the Word of God. Humanity does not sin by nature. Sinful humanity does sin by nature. Who has faced that temptation, overcome it, and prepared life and hope? Jesus Christ, our perfect Lord and Savior has faced our great foe and has defeated him. We need not justify ourselves, for there is one who justifies us, Jesus, the one who by his nature is perfectly just. We need not earn God's love, for there is one who loves us divinely, Jesus Christ, love incarnate. What then is our job? Believe on him, not on ourselves.
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