From The Pastor's Desk - The Reason for Lent

Throughout Christendom there are many practices associated with the season of Lent. One is fasting, another is 'giving up something for Lent'. While these can be worthwhile activities that can help put life matters into perspective, it seems that a proper reason for the season of Lent is to recognize real forgiveness.

Throughout Lent, the lectionary lessons point to Christ. The cross and the pain and suffering, of Christ during Holy Week culminating in His joyous resurrection on Easter Sunday morning. But the entire purpose of this annual journey with Christ is the reason He went through all this suffering. Yes, He came to earth in much the same manner as we all did. He grew up as we have done. He pointed us to His Father in heaven who sent Christ to earth. It is this relationship & reason with which we struggle to recognize as we walk this earth. Then Jesus suffered, died & rose from the dead in four short days from Thursday through Sunday. These are four days that end Christ's earthly life with our salvation.

But what really is our salvation? Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:7, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. " All of Lent points to the forgiveness of sin. First, we see the Father's forgiveness in sending Jesus to earth.

Second, we should see the seriousness of sin through the suffering of Christ. Third, we are shown the obedience of Christ as an example for us to emulate. Fourth, we see the first fruits of our promised resurrection in Christ's own resurrection.

Throughout the remainder of this season, I encourage all of us to recognize our own forgiveness from Christ & then do the same with & for others. Forgive one another for Christ's sake. That is what we pray in the Lord's Prayer: Forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us. As God forgave us, so we are to forgive others. It was tough for Christ on the cross & it can be tough for us as we walk this earth. But the blessings of forgiveness are boundless. Just as Christ opened the gates of Heaven for us, by our forgiveness of others we release the barriers that divide us & open the doors to peace.

To God Him and only be the glory, 

Pastor Dale Skurla