“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilledamong us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” Luke 1:1-4
During Lent we are going to read the gospel of Luke. We’re told in verses 1-4 that Luke’s intent is to write an “orderly account” of the story of Jesus. Luke speaks to ”eye witnesses” and “carefully investigated everything from the beginning.” When we read the gospel we’ll see explicit details that show Jesus to be historical and not just an abstraction or an idea but a living human being. Luke’s goal is to point people to the salvation offered in Christ Jesus.
And now we start our Lenten journey. Over the next 40 days we’ll be reading the eye witness account of Jesus and ultimately end with His death and resurrection. Luke points us to the love Jesus shows the poor, the struggling, the disenfranchised. His message demonstrates that Jesus came for all people in all times.
So, today is the day of ashes. We go to worship and receive the ashes on the forehead as a reflection of our own death and loss. It is out of the ashes of death that Jesus creates life. So, today we wear the ashes and remember what Jesus did for us and we don’t deserve it. Love freely offers Himself for us so we might have life with him for all eternity.
I’m looking forward to our 40 days together as we all reflect on our need for a loving God in our lives.
