Pastor
Dear friends in Christ,
The Lenten season…begins this year on Wednesday, February 22. We will celebrate Holy communion and the distribution of ashes at a 7:00pm service.
WHY DO WE CELEBRATE LENT?
Lent is a season in which we follow Jesus to the cross. While most of our energies are focused on Scripture readings, sermons, hymns, and prayers, the whole life of Jesus gets its meaning from his death on the cross for others.
It all seems like a drama, play acting. The props and players are all in place and are nearing the stage. Pilate is concerned at the large number of Passover pilgrims. Annas and Caiaphas are restless over a volatile Nazarene. Judas vies his master with furtive eyes. A centurion is available, awaiting the next crucifixion. Players and props. Only this is no play; it’s God’s divine plan begun back in the garden of Eden. Now all heaven waits and watches. All eyes are on the one figure – the Nazarene.
Commonly clad. Uncommonly focused. Leaving Jericho and walking to Jerusalem. He doesn’t chatter. He doesn’t pause, His is on a journey. His final journey. Even the angels are silent. They know this is no ordinary walk, no ordinary week; for hinged on this week is the door to eternity for all mankind.
This Lenten season, we will again follow Jesus to the cross, see how He spent His final days, see what mattered to Him, to God. He knew the end was near. As a result, each step was calculated; every act premeditated. What did He tell His disciples? What really mattered to Him?
Let us enter the holy week and observe. Feel His passion: laughing as children sing, weeping as Jerusalem ignores, scorning as priests accuse, pleading as disciples sleep, feeling sad as Pilate turns.
Sense His power: blind eyes seeing, fruitless tree withering, money changERS scampering, religious leaders cowering, tomb opening.
Hear His promise: death has no power, failure holds no prisoners, fear has no prisoners, fear has no control. For God has come into our world to take us out of here to live with Him in eternal life.
Let’s follow Jesus on His final journey. For by observing His, we may learn how to make ours!
Sincerely in His Love & Service,
Pastor Teuscher