Lent is the season of forty days that lead up to the celebration of Easter. Our daily email devotions during Lent have been purposefully written to guide us into a deeper, more reflective walk with Christ. We’ve written about sin, confession, and forgiveness. We’ve reflected with you on the cost of discipleship and shared our own personal relationships with Jesus. The season has been marked by events in our city and in our world that have turned our hearts toward God in new ways, in challenging ways, maybe in deeper ways. Lent has been a season of reflection and spiritual preparation for all of us.
During this final week of Lent, traditionally called “Holy Week,” we will be writing and reflecting on the events recorded in the Gospels that mark the final week of Jesus’s life on earth. We’ll look at his betrayal, arrest, and trial. We’ll reflect on the Last Supper, the meal Jesus shared with His disciples. On Friday, known as “Good Friday,” our devotion will be a reflection on the crucifixion. Then Sunday is Easter—a grand, glorious, life-giving celebration of the resurrection and the new life that Jesus brings to each of us!
If you asked me the question, “What is it all about?” I would answer with today’s Scripture verse: 2 Corinthians 5:21. In one short verse, Paul sums up the Gospel message. In one short verse, Paul tells us what Holy Week is all about. In one short verse, Paul reminds us of the profound theological truth and bedrock basis of our faith. Jesus knew no sin. God laid our sin upon Jesus. That sin was crucified and buried with Him. It was defeated when Jesus conquered the grave. In place of our sin, God gave to us His righteousness. It is a truly astounding thing to consider what God has done. He didn’t have to do it. He could have made us pay. But because of God’s enormous love for us, He sent His own Son to die in our place, paying our penalty and giving us righteousness in place of the sin.
Spiritual reflection and growth doesn’t end after Holy Week is over. We will continue to write and send devotions to encourage your faith and support you as you seek to know God better and love Him more deeply. But make sure you do not forget or set aside the truth that sets all of it in the proper perspective: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
To God be the glory!