Website Devotion for March: Lent - March 2006

Thousands of pancakes were eaten across this land last Tuesday, February 28. In times past, cupboards were shriven (purged) of rich and fatty foods on Shrove Tuesday, in prepraration for the leaner Lenten season. Lent is an old word meaning "Springtime" or "lengthening" of days. In the Lenten days of Spring we look for flowers outside as the snow recedes and for swelling buds on trees and bushes. But, Lent is also properly one of the seasons of the Church. It is part of our journey with Jesus from birth to death. Lent is the passion-part of Jesus' life.

Our Gospel readings for Lent are a kind of journey in themselves. The first Sunday in Lent usually begins with Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. Then, we might proceed with him to Capernaum where he was able to work many miracles, and then to Nazareth where 'familiarity bred contempt' for him and he was rejected and almost killed! Of course, the journey ends at Caiaphas' house, who was high priest that year and who agreed that Jesus should be sacrificed to keep peace in Jerusalem --

As we journey with Jesus and experience his passion (suffering), most people begin to feel a close kinship with this wise and gentle man, who made himself vulnerable in his mission to show the world God's alterantive to the oppression and exploitation that religion had come to mean, and which governments used everyday. We can see why the first believers called him Emmanuel or Messiah and why he called himself 'the son of man'. Jesus wanted no fame or fortune for himself. Instead he always pointed the way to God through repentance and renewed faithfulness. Jesus gave up his life for us. Jesus said: "...the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God." (John 16:27)

During lent we are invited by God's Church to look at our relationship to Jesus the Christ and to hear his invitiation to live a just and faith-filled life. Jesus' concern for others was documented when he presented his first 'sermon' in Nazareth, reading from the scroll of Isaiah. We are also to live in concern for the salvation of others. * Travel with Jesus during Lent and examine your relationship with God in the light of Jesus' life and teaching. -- The refreshing, uplifting changes that are taking place all around us as the days now lengthen and as the golden glow of the sun becomes more frequent, melting the winter snow -- remind us of the glory of God that has come to us in Jesus. Allow the glow of the 'Son' to also enter your hear and to melt any hardness or sin that may be in its recesses. Bring forth soem new action to help or support someone as a consequence of a new insight God has given you -- whether in your immediate family or in a far off mission.

Walking with Jesus through Lent doesn't have to be a gloomy affair. Make a resolution that you won't deny your Lord when the question is put to you: "Do you know Jesus?" These beautiful Lenten Spring days may remind you of the blessings we have inherited in this land. May they also remind you of your redemption by Jesus on that lonely hill outside Jerusalem long ago. Jesus spared us the eternal suffering that was to be our future end. Jesus said "...These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Shalom

Rev. Martin Wehrmann