Written by Allan Anderson, from the Village Church.
Reflecting on 8 decades of life and Lenten worship experiences, we can ask ourselves how we have introduced Lent into our daily experience and approaches to life. My earliest recall of this part of the church season is the affirmation of “giving something up!” In church school each year, a reminder of the importance of this gesture was the receipt of a small paper bank box that could be used to forego something for yourself and instead make a contribution each day – a reminder of Jesus giving himself for the benefit of all God’s people. There was also the promise of fish for lunch in the school cafeteria, the importance and meaning of the Ash Wednesday service that eventually culminated in one of the Bible’s outstanding experiences; the unfolding of Holy Week, Good Friday and the excitement of Easter Sunday and the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Do we continue to remind ourselves of this total Biblical teaching? Do Easter egg hunts, a new pair of shoes or a new dress help incite the desire to assure our understanding of God’s word, along with spreading this Gospel news to others? Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday; stair steps to God’s offerings for our comprehension that leads to a daily road map for all our futures.
But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. [Isaiah 53:5]
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