Shade Tree Wisdom 2/25/09

A Word about Lent.

The time for spring flowers to grace the land, and warm weather, and growing rains, and new life.

It is a time when Christians take a fresh look at what the Cross means for them, their daily life, and their eternal salvation.

Oh, some will think, and even boast, of what they plan to “give up for lent.” As if by doing so they somehow improve their status before the Almighty God. Create an “in” with their good work, as it were.

In his Large Catechism Dr. Luther points out that the ten commandments, which tell us what we are to do and not do, are followed by the Creed, which tells us what God has done and is still doing for us.

Then, under the second Article, Luther writes, “In the Second Article we say, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ, Son of God, is my Lord’. That means that He has redeemed me from sin, from the devil, from death, and from all evil. . . . We lay under God’s wrath and displeasure, doomed to eternal damnation, as we had deserved. There was no counsel or help until this eternal Son of God, in His unfathomable goodness, had mercy on our misery and came from heaven to rout those tyrants and jailers. . . .He has snatched us from the jaws of hell, made us free, and restored us to the Father’s favor and grace.” We now live under His protection.

That sums it up. LENT is the time when we spend special times in prayer, in meditation, and thanksgiving for this Mercy and eternal grace. Perhaps re-reading the chapters in the Gospel that tell the story of Jesus’ final days on earth, and the end of it all, His Glorious Resurrection, so that we may and do rejoice, He Lives. Our Lord and God. May these 40 days of Lent prove for you rich blessing, and a firmer walk in faith.

GPD 2/25/09