Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God the Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
The poet Robert Frost once wrote, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." That you find yourself here in God's House to begin another week, and as we enter the season of Lent, you are indeed on a path less traveled. Our Lord spoke about two paths when He said, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7: 13-14)
Now do not make the mistake of believing that by simply going to church you are somehow earning your way to eternal life with God. Rather, think of yourself as being led by the Spirit to the House of the Lord. Here you may receive the faith to trust God's Word of Life as well as receive the Sacrament of Christ's true Body and Blood for your salvation. We are led by the Spirit down this path for we desperately need God's grace and help.
THE JOURNEY OF LENT
For the next forty days (not counting the Sundays in Lent) we journey with our Savior ever toward the cross. Lent is a time for reflection, repentance, self-denial and almsgiving. Besides the purple altar paraments, even the liturgy of the church is different. Gone are the "Alleluias" until Easter Sunday. The "Gloria in Excelsis" has also left its awkward void in the liturgy of the church.
First it was Christmas, then Epiphany, not it is Lent and soon it will be Easter. The whole cycle of the Church Year is about our sin and our Savior. The Christian Church is here for one reason and one reason only--for God to expose our sin and remove our sin from us. That is the only real business of the Church. That is why you are here, or should be here. The purpose of Lent, of Christ, of the Church is to take away your sin.
SIN IS WHY WE ARE HERE--IN THE WILDERNESS
If we, unfortunately, believe that sin is not serious or deadly, then why do we need the Church? What good is a bloody Savior if no one needs? When we reach that point, we simply go through the motions of worship. After all, nothing really interests us. If we do not see our sin, then what is the point of it all?
Now some enterprising folks have redefined Church. Some have made church into a social club, a place to meet others. Others see the Church as a charitable organization where you can do "nice things" for others. What often lies behind that idea is that we're all fine and good and, in military terminology, we are "squared away." It is the other people who need our help. Well, that is true. Everyone needs your mercy and charity.
But if we lose sight that we are "poor, miserable sinners" (where every word of that hurts) then the Church has lost its purpose. The reality that we confess is that it is my sin (whether it is secret or public) drives me out of Heaven and into Hell forever. Hell, a bitter place: total isolation, misery, and separation. If we lose sight of this truth, then the Church has lost its purpose. God put this Church here, in this city, this very place, for you, so God can remove your sin. That is why He is here now.
So a pastor, if he is to speak truthfully and not be a liar, he must stand before all "good people who have come" and tell them that they are infected with sin and with death. Now the wheels are turning in your minds. "Hold on there. We are not that bad. Deep down we are good people." If that is what you are thinking, you've missed the boat. Sin touches our lives and struck us to our very core. It has left it's mark; and I will show you how.
Have you ever been sick? Have you ever been in an accident? Have you ever stood over a coffin of a loved one and looked inside? Have you ever mistreated someone? Have you ever been rejected? Had an argument? Have you ever held a grudge? Your pain, your weakness, your anger, your bitterness in this world is evidence that sin and death dwells in your bodies and mine. We have a time-bomb within us that is ticking and ticking each day.
So, why are you here? You and I are living in a wilderness. Danger and trials are all around us. Life, at times, seems like a barren desert, dry and lifeless.
Now if your life is perfect, your marriage perfect, your children perfect, school perfect, if nothing breaks down, nothing disappoints you, and nothing hurts, then relax. You are safe, sin has not touched you. You will live forever, even without Christ apparently. (Who needs Him?!) But if your life is not perfect, your health not perfect, your family is not perfect, then take heart.
JESUS JOURNEYS IN THE WILDERNESS
Look beside you in this wilderness of life. There is Jesus. He is alone, starving. He is miserable. He is stalked and hunted by Satan. This is Jesus on His way to dying too!
Why is He here? He never sinned. His body, His flesh and blood, His heart and soul are pure and holy. Why is He in this barren place, hungry, tempted, and suffering? Don't you know why? It is all because you are here.
Jesus could not stay in Heaven's peace and glory while you are here suffering. If you suffer lose, He also loses all things. If you are rejected, so is He rejected. If you suffer condemnation, He suffers condemnation. If you are to die, He must die also. He loves you too much to leave you here in sin's desert: this world. Oh yes, Satan has at his disposal all sorts of entertaining things, things that would charm you into submission.
But remember the words of the Battle Hymn of the Reformation, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." "But for us fights the Valiant One, whom God Himself elected. Ask ye who is this? Jesus Christ it is, of Sabaoth Lord, and there's no other God; He holds the field forever." "He is by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and spirit."
Jesus suffers. He starves. He wanders for forty days in the wilderness for one reason: for you. He does not simply suffer just to identify and empathize with you. He does not simply turn to you and say, "Oh, this is pretty bad, isn't it?" No, He came into the wilderness to restore you, to take you back to Heaven, and to re-create you anew.
Jesus came from Heaven to bring life down from Heaven. He brings the food that nourishes the soul, the mind, and the heart. Yes, if He wills, He may give you physical health and restore your body. But He came to make you whole.
Sin has wrecked you and death lays it claim on you. But Christ comes to heal you of sin and death.
His water in this wilderness will save you. He says to you, "I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." And the food that He has is the only food that will nourish you and give you life everlasting. "Take eat, this is My Body given for you...Take drink, this is my My Blood shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins." There is life in this wilderness afterall.
Oh Lord, during these forty days, let us not turn aside from You, but instead, help us to journey with You toward the cross. Help us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow You. And when the forty days are over, continue to lead us that we may rejoice in Your saving work delivering us from sin and death and the devil. Without Your grace, our souls wither, dry up, and die. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming into our wilderness to rescue and restore us. Amen.
Now may the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through faith in Jesus Christ, unto life everlasting. Amen.
© February 17, 2013, Rev. Gary C. Olson. "Journeying with Jesus in Lent and in Life."
Text: Luke 4: 1-13
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