Ash Wednesday was five weeks ago, and you sang or at least thought, “Jesus, I will ponder now on Your holy passion” (Lutheran Service Book 440, 1). Maybe you resolved to give something up for Lent. Still doing it? Still pondering? Five weeks in is a better time to check the seriousness of our devotion. “Do we pass that cross unheeding, breathing no repentant vow?” (LSB 423, 3). Day-by-day, week-by-week, we get distracted from the special meditation we promised when Lent began.
One measure is your conduct. Are you living a more holy life now than five weeks ago? More sanctified living comes with an increase in the fear of God. “Do you not fear God?” asked the criminal who changed his conduct to the criminal who didn’t (Luke 23:40). “Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord,” offers Psalm 34:11. “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (Psalm 34:13-16). Where is Jesus looking from the cross? At you or away, disappointed that “This people honors me with their lips but their heart is far from me” (Mark 7:6; Isaiah 29:13). “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11).
“Ye who think of sin but lightly nor suppose the evil great here may view its nature rightly, here its guilt may estimate. Mark the sacrifice appointed, see who bears the awful load; ‘Tis the Word, the Lord’s anointed, Son of Man and Son of God.” (LSB 451, 3).
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