OUR LENTEN JOURNEY

    All Christian doctrine centers on the person of God’s Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The life of faith that flows from us being connected to Christ is a dynamic life, a full and robust expression of the One who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13). As our Good Shepherd He wills to have us follow Him. We continue to hear the voice of our Good Shepherd in the Word, the Gospel of grace, the living and active song of salvation that is recorded in Holy Scripture. God is continually at work in us through the Word – the Word made flesh, and the Word of Truth. “These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). God’s ongoing work is to convict us of our sin, to apply the forgiveness won by Christ on the cross, to strengthen our faith, to mold us into the image of His Son, and to build His church on earth.

    This Lenten season Christ calls us to follow Him. What a joy it is to follow after our Lord! We become more of what He wills us to be as we do so – stronger, more mature, wiser, and better prepared to meet the challenges that this world will bring us. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5)

    This year the roadmap of our journey is through the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed – specifically, the central phrases of our Lord’s suffering and His triumphant descent into hell.  In the Creed the majesty of Christ the King is highlighted with clear and unmistakable force.  In this Lenten series the sheep of Christ’s flock will be fed and fed well.  “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28).  Let us all, together, follow after our blessed Lord.