“Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43: 18-19
On March 5, the Christian church began her Lenten pilgrimage to Calvary’s holy mountain. We must now turn our attention to our walk of faith. May I suggest a new perspective on the weeks that lie ahead? Rather than viewing Lent as a 40-day trudging through self-denial and darkness, let’s look forward to these days of Lent, as a time of abundant grace poured out on God’s repentant people.
Lent is an opportunity to houseclean — some have even called Lent “Spring Cleaning or Spring Training for Christians” — to liberate ourselves of our burdens of sin we have carried, the attitudes and judgments that separate us from God and from one another.
Lent is a new beginning. The past is over; the future lies ahead. As Isaiah promised: “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” In our wilderness the Lord gives water; in the desert he creates rivers, drink for you and me, his chosen people.
We who are paralyzed by our sin will hear Jesus’ words: “Son (Daughter), your sins are forgiven. … Take up your mat and go home” (Mark 2: 5b, 11). There is no experience like having your sins forgiven, the burden of guilt and the past lifted miraculously from our shoulders. The forgiveness we receive from God that we hear each Sunday morning in the words of Holy Absolution is like a cold drink of water on a hot, muggy August Florida afternoon. Is it any wonder that a Song of Praise is sung following those awesome words of forgiveness? We have to rejoice and sing praise for what God is doing for us in Christ Jesus! Our forgiveness is the removal of a barrier between God and us so that we can see his face more clearly. “All things are created new” (2 Cor. 5:17).
Discovering the living streams of forgiveness is an opportunity that lies before each of us as we continue on our Lenten journey this season. The people of God have experienced the grace of Lent for centuries—please don’t think Lent is a creation of the modern church. It is just as the Lord promised: “I, am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25).
We at Hope encourage you to join us this Lenten season as we “return to the Lord our God for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Joel 2). You will find, as you return to the Lord with hearts and lives of repentance, that in the midst of this desert of Lent … there you will find Lenten water for your parched soul.
Spirit of God: Illuminate the dark places in the lives of your people. Make this Lenten season a time of true renewal and promise for your church.
The Rev. Dean R. Pfeffer is the senior pastor at Hope Lutheran Church, Plant City. For more, email him at hopepcpastor@gmail.com.
