It’s only January and I am talking about Easter already. We will be on a journey. We are journeying with Jesus to the cross and along the way we see the need for someone else to save us for we cannot save ourselves. This Lenten Season we will hear the words of Christ while he is on the cross and a few more after his burial.

Ash Wednesday is February 17th this year. The ashes remind us that our sin had left us forsaken by God. We hear Jesus say these words Matthew 27:46b “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These words speak to the panic we would feel if God had abandoned us. We would have been forsaken.

Our next words are from Luke 23:28b “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.” Our disobedience of God causes us a great lament. We cry for our savior who tells us not to cry for him he is going to the cross of the Father’s will and his will.

And then we will hear some comforting words. Luke 23:34a And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them.” The one we were crying over is forgiving us. We, who should be in his place, not him in ours, are not paying the consequences of our defiance against God. His suffering and death appease the Father and we are forgiven.

We hear of the trust the Son has in his Father and the trust we have in faith in the Father. Luke 23:46a Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” This trust is above all trust. He knows his Father will sustain him even though things are bad, he is going to die. The Father has promised him life and he will rise again.

And we hear of even more trust. John 19:26-27a When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” Jesus entrusts the care of his Mother to his disciple. He entrusts the church, his bride, our mother, with his gospel message and the people of the church to take care of her. He trusts us with his message of the gospel.

And then we will hear about the promise of life eternal. Luke 23:43a And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” What an awesome promise! In spite of who we are God forgives us for the sake of his Son. He restores Paradise to us.

On Maundy-Thursday we will then hear Jesus ask for nourishment with only two words. John 19:28b “I thirst.” When we sin, we thirst of the one thing we need day-to-day. We thirst for forgiveness. We want to know that we are forgiven. We need to know that we are forgiven. And we will partake of the Holy Supper and be forgiven by the eating and drinking in fellowship with one another and all Christians that day.

On Good Friday we will hear Jesus claim that the job entrusted to him is done. John 19:30 “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. God’s wrath is finally appeased. We no longer need despair. God’s wrath over our sin is finished.

And then he tells us after he has risen from the dead. John 20:19b, 20b, 26b “Peace be with you.” We have peace now. We know that our Lord who was crucified has risen from the dead. Three times we hear these words of peace in John’s Gospel, chapter 20. This emphasizes the fact that we are at peace with the Father, with God. The Son has accomplished his task. The Son has been raised back up.

Come and journey with us to the cross. Hear the Words of God for you, Words that bring comfort and peace, Words of love and care.

Your Servant in Christ,

Pastor Bob

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