Word for Word 3/5/25

Why Lent?

We are just about to begin the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which lasts for 40 days (not counting Sundays). It seems like every year I hear comments from different people who don’t like Lent, such as, “It just makes me feel sad” or “It’s hard to hear so much about the suffering and death of Jesus,” and “Why can’t we focus on more pleasant things?” Today, I want to address some of these concerns and explain why Lent, though a somber and penitential a season, is truly a great comfort for every Christian.

Lent is a somber season. Ash Wednesday reminds us that God created man from dust and one day to dust we shall return. It reminds that we are not invincible. We will not live forever. “The wages of sin is death.” Death is proof of our sin. It makes it clear that we need a Savior.

Yet, the reason Lent should be a comfort for every Christian is that it reminds us that we have a Savior. Scripture says, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). Jesus came into this world to take the punishment that our sin deserves. Though perfect, Jesus was condemned as a criminal. He was condemned so that we could go free.

Every one of us is a sinner who has fallen short of the glory of God. Sometimes people think, “How can God forgive me after the things I have done or failed to do? How can I be sure that I can go to heaven?”

If you are troubled by your sins, if you wonder if you can go to heaven, then look to Jesus. Do you see how he suffered? He did it for you. Do you see how he willingly went to the cross to pay for the sins of the world? He did it for you. Do you see how Jesus loved even those who sinned against him when prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”? He did it for you. That’s how you can be sure your sins are forgiven, and heaven is your home. He did it for you because he loves you and wants you to go to heaven. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

The Apostle Paul wrote, “We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles” (I Corinthians 1:23). For some, Jesus’ crucifixion doesn’t make sense, or it appears to be foolish. But Paul boldly preached “Christ crucified,” because it is proof that Jesus has taken away our sins and given us the hope of heaven.

Our Lord came to save sinners. He came for those who recognize their need of a Savior. He came for Peters and Pauls, for tax-collectors and sinners, he came for you and me. When we look to the cross, we see what our sin deserves - yet, at that same moment, we see the greatness of God’s love for us. As we sing, “Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed his blood for me.”

Lent is a somber time. It reminds us of our sin and our need for a Savior. Yet, most importantly, our Lord’s suffering and death show us the great love our Savior has for us. He knew all that he would have to do - the mocking, the cross, and the nails. But that did not stop him. He willingly went to the cross so that he could take you to be with him in heaven. During Lent we see his suffering, but we are not without hope. For we look with hopeful expectation to the empty tomb on Easter morning! Amen.

Pastor Abraham Faugstad
King of Grace Lutheran Church ELS, Waukon and Trinity Lutheran Church