Hello dear friends, We are in the middle of Lent. The season of preparing for the resurrected Christ at Easter. His glorious departure from the tomb, his victory of life over death and we will celebrate. But first, we are welcomed into the journey that put him in the tomb. For me, Lent is about being real with the realities around us and Lent can give you whiplash. Over the next few weeks we will hear the voice of the crowds praising Jesus as the “blessed one” and “Hosanna,” they quickly change their tone yelling “Crucify Him.” Lent/Easter can make your head spin, but I think that’s the point.
Throughout all the shifting responses to Jesus, Jesus’ response is the same. Love, compassion, empathy-that’s the good news for us. Jesus forgave the guys pounding nails into his wrists, he took care of the solider injured during his capture, he even offered paradise to the criminal hanging next to him. Our Lord cares for others even when they don’t care for him. It’s a powerful lesson for us to consider.
Personally, I find it much easier to be compassionate to those that show me the same, and kind to those who do likewise. This is where Jesus’ divinity and our humanity come into conflict. I know I’ll never be as loving as Jesus, or kind or welcoming. I try, but I am way to sensitive to my failures to even get close to what Jesus can do. This is when being real with ourselves becomes important. We need to acknowledge that we fail. We fail to follow in the ways of Jesus, we fail to reach out, lift up and offer support when others are in need. AND we need to be real with how Jesus responds to the failures of others. He offers compassion, empathy and forgiveness.
It’s the most important message we have heard, Jesus loves you. Jesus forgives you, Jesus welcomes you. Doesn’t matter if we have been good disciples or less. In the end, it isn’t about us. This is the story of God, saving God’s people. See you on Sunday, Pastor Dave