Today, I read the story of The Prodigal Son. I’m reading along with the She Reads Truth Lent reading plan. It’s not a super in-depth Bible Study, but their purpose is to get women in the word. They send out daily devotionals that go along with the daily reading in Scripture, and I find that it is very encouraging. It facilitates my Bible reading, and If I feel inclined to “dig deeper'” I certainly am able. But some days, I just want to read and let it fill me up and meditate on it throughout the day.
I have been in relationship with Jesus for 27 years. Not a day has gone by where I have not walked with Him. I submit myself to Him, regularly. I’ve never thought of leaving. I know how to study the Bible, and interpret what it means. I am involved in ministry, and genuinely care for people’s well-being and salvation. I love Jesus. Not with a boisterous passion I once had, but with a love that courses through my DNA. I cannot imagine living without Jesus.
It’s easy for me to think I am good, and righteous and pure because I have never left Jesus. Because I love him from the very makeup of my DNA. I am like the older son who did not leave the father in The Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32). It’s easy to attribute my blessings based on my action and faithfulness. To attribute other’s blessing and salvation based on their actions and faithfulness.
What I love about Lent, is in the week’s leading up to Christ’s death, I remember what actually happened on the Cross. He died. He rose again. He conquered sin. He forgave us. Jesus did not die on the cross because we were good, or righteous or pure. He died to save us from our sin, from the wrath that is our destruction. He died because he loved us. My salvation is not dependent on my actions – not how long I’ve walked with Jesus and loved Him and not how well I study the Bible – my salvation is dependent of Christ’s love for me and the gift he gave me on that cross.
Lent is a time I remember I am not God. I am not Jesus.
The truth is I am good, and righteous and pure because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Not because I love him and have never left him. The Prodigal Son shows Jesus’ love and mercy. As the father embraces this undeserving boy, welcoming him back as his son, we see that Jesus too welcomes us with open arms. This is the beauty of the Cross for “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).”
Read part one of my Lenten Journey
Elizabeth Horn 