On Ash Wednesday, February 17, we will join Christians around the world in observing the season of Lent. Lent is a deeply spiritual time as we reflect on the tremendous love and sacrifice of Jesus for us so that we might have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. The price of our redemption was overwhelming. As Dr. Martin Luther said in explaining the second article of the Apostles’ Creed “Jesus, my Lord, has redeemed me a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with his holy precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death.” As Jesus himself said, “Greater love has no one than this; that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

Luther went on with his explanation to state that Jesus made this supreme sacrifice, “so that I may be his own and live under him in his kingdom and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true!”

In Jesus we have been redeemed from all sins, including the sin of selfishly wanting to use all of God’s blessings for our own needs and wants, rather than using them to his glory and the welfare of our neighbor. Selfishness is not part of good stewardship. Lent provides us with an excellent opportunity to reflect on what is really important and worth spending our lives and resources on. During this 2010 season of Lent may God’s Holy Spirit help us to understand that God wants to use us as instruments in his hands to touch the lives of others in ways that make an eternal difference.

What a time of spiritual growth the season of Lent can be for us as we strive to spend our lives on things that really matter for the Kingdom of God and the work of the church. May the love and sacrifice of Jesus so impress us that we will want to reach out in loving and helpful ways.

Good Shepherd’s Ash Wednesday 7 p.m. Eucharist worship will include the Imposition of Ashes. Pastor Ken Carlson will preach and assist in the service. Our five Wednesday midweek Wednesday services will include a theme of the last words of Christ upon the Cross. May God bless your Lenten journey.