Through Jesus' death on the Cross -- we are reconnected -- 'recommended back to God' -- thus, once again 'in God's good graces' -- justified. For God is more eager to 'take us back' -- than we are to return to His amazing embrace, and 'other way of life.'
This holy season return to God's embrace -- receiving -- the Work and Effort of Jesus, a Work and Effort that far surpasses, any Work and Effort we could ever muster.
For towering over our sweat and sin is the sweetness and salvation of the Savior -- the Cross of Christ -- trumping everything -- advancing -- accelerating -- all of life.
My weekly sanctuary, most Thursdays, is the library of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, PA. And as I go there, I am 'a creature of habit' -- sitting in the same location in the main reading room -- at the same table -- in the same chair -- facing the same large window -- with multiple, divided panes of glass. Well, I bring lots of work and worries with me to Gettysburg -- spreading a lot of my work and worries -- literally -- on large table before me, as I 'tackle' sermons and other assignments at my computer.
But inevitably, an amazing thing happens, most Thursdays -- at least when the sun is shining. The sun comes through the large window before me, with its multiple, divided panes of glass -- and because of its multiple, divided panes of glass -- casts a large shadow.
But not just any shadow -- but a shadow in the shape of a cross. And I am always inspired as I see that cross, literally overshadowing my work-station -- with all of its work and worries. It's as if God is saying: the Cross is to dominate everything -- trumping everything -- nevertheless!
The Cross of Jesus does dominate everything - trumping everything -- nevertheless! For frankly, that's why Christ died: to reign supreme -- to beckon us home, from 'the far country of sin.' Come home this Lenten season, for because Christ died, we have a renewed "...amazing friendship with God -- [empowering us] to sing and shouts praises to God..." (Romans 5:10-11, The Message).
Sing and shout praises to God -- for ultimately Christ's death is an amazing victory, warranting a celebration -- as Christ's Cross does tower over our sweat and sin -- elevating the sweetness and salvation of the Savior.
Elevate the sweetness and salvation of the Savior -- lift high the Cross.
For prophet Isaiah is right: "...[Jesus] was pierced for our transgressions -- He was crushed for our iniquities -- the punishment that brought us peace, was on Him -- and by His wounds we are healed -- [and advanced -- in this life -- and -- the life to come]..."
This holy season return to God's embrace -- receiving -- the Work and Effort of Jesus, a Work and Effort that far surpasses, any Work and Effort we could ever muster.
For towering over our sweat and sin is the sweetness and salvation of the Savior -- the Cross of Christ -- trumping everything -- advancing -- accelerating -- all of life.
My weekly sanctuary, most Thursdays, is the library of the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, PA. And as I go there, I am 'a creature of habit' -- sitting in the same location in the main reading room -- at the same table -- in the same chair -- facing the same large window -- with multiple, divided panes of glass. Well, I bring lots of work and worries with me to Gettysburg -- spreading a lot of my work and worries -- literally -- on large table before me, as I 'tackle' sermons and other assignments at my computer.
But inevitably, an amazing thing happens, most Thursdays -- at least when the sun is shining. The sun comes through the large window before me, with its multiple, divided panes of glass -- and because of its multiple, divided panes of glass -- casts a large shadow.
But not just any shadow -- but a shadow in the shape of a cross. And I am always inspired as I see that cross, literally overshadowing my work-station -- with all of its work and worries. It's as if God is saying: the Cross is to dominate everything -- trumping everything -- nevertheless!
The Cross of Jesus does dominate everything - trumping everything -- nevertheless! For frankly, that's why Christ died: to reign supreme -- to beckon us home, from 'the far country of sin.' Come home this Lenten season, for because Christ died, we have a renewed "...amazing friendship with God -- [empowering us] to sing and shouts praises to God..." (Romans 5:10-11, The Message).
Elevate the sweetness and salvation of the Savior -- lift high the Cross.
For prophet Isaiah is right: "...[Jesus] was pierced for our transgressions -- He was crushed for our iniquities -- the punishment that brought us peace, was on Him -- and by His wounds we are healed -- [and advanced -- in this life -- and -- the life to come]..."
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