Today's Reading: Luke 18:31-43
Daily Lectionary: Job 10:1-22; John 5:1-18
Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished."For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. "They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again." (Luke 18:31-33)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Lent is coming soon. This week, in fact! It begins with Ash Wednesday. Historically, people during Lent could get a bit carried away with the “gloom and doom” of their sinfulness. But Lent, properly celebrated, isn't about dwelling on our sins. It's about giving closer attention to what Jesus did in His suffering and death.
Jesus told His disciples that He was heading to Jerusalem and to death. They didn't understand and didn't believe. They didn't figure Jesus for a copout, a victim, a pushover. They didn't suppose that He was going to be THEIR Savior by giving up HIS life. Those thoughts just never entered their head. Perhaps they were just being thick. Perhaps they just didn't think themselves so sinful as to need the Son of God to trade places with them.
We're the same. Sure, we hear all the time how Jesus died on the Cross and rose again. But is it that big of a deal? It is if we consider that's what our sins cost! Without the sacrifice of Jesus, we're doomed— utterly and completely and eternally doomed.
But Jesus doesn't beat around the bush. He doesn't try to hide it. He tells His disciples plainly: He's going to Jerusalem to die. That's why He came. Whenever you hear any other Jesus preached than the One who went to the Cross for you, run away! Pay no attention. It was for this reason that Jesus came—to die for sinners and to rise again.
It's what your Baptism connects you to. It's what absolution bestows. It's what you eat and drink in the Supper: Jesus, the Savior, who gave His life for you. The forgiveness of sins He won for you. His going to death and rising again for you. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Here we have a firm foundation, Here the refuge of the lost: Christ, the Rock of our salvation, Is the name of which we boast; Lamb of God for sinners wounded, Sacrifice to cancel guilt! None shall every be confounded Who on Him their hope have built. (LSB 451:4)