Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor's Pen

A monthly message from the hand of Pastor Stockman

On February 18th, we will join Christians around the world in observing the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is a deeply spiritual time as we reflect on the tremendous love and sacrifice Jesus made for us so that we might have forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. The price of our redemption was overwhelming. As Dr. Martin Luther said in explaining the second article of the Apostles Creed "Jesus, my Lord, has redeemed me a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death." As Jesus Himself said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 NIV)

Dr. Luther went on with his explanation to state that Jesus made this supreme sacrifice "so that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true!" This is to be the pattern for the life of a Christian disciple and steward. 

In Jesus, we have been redeemed from all sins, including the sin of selfishly wanting to use all of God's blessings for our own needs and wants, rather than using them to His glory and the welfare of our neighbor. Selfishness and greed are two of the common enemies we struggle against as we seek to live a Christian life! We are all too aware that many people are driven by the love of money and will do dishonest things at times to obtain it, but they are not alone. Greed and coveting are our constant companions as we journey through life, always seeking to have their way with us. Instead of seeing ourselves as managers of the gifts that God has given to us, we are inclined to see God's blessings simply as gifts to be hoarded for our own benefit.

Lent provides us with an excellent opportunity to reflect on our lives and repent of all of our sins, including those sins that find their source in the greed and coveting found in our own hearts. Forgiveness for these sins is the greatest treasure we have acquired, and it is not something we earned ourselves. Our salvation was purchased by the death of Christ on the cross. This great debt could not be paid by any amount of sacrifice on our part, nor could it be earned by our devotion, good deeds, and the like. Christ paid for our sins and offers us forgiveness and salvation as an act of grace. Lent is a wonderful time to reflect on this great treasure, which is the only treasure we can take with us forever.