God's Lenten Gift - article by Joel Hempel
As I read my notes from Pastor Scott’s sermon on Sunday, I thought to myself, “It’s sad the Pharisees – these holy men of Israel - just didn’t get it.” Pastor talked about their cultish characteristics. Most notably to me was their inability to be open to the truth and recognize their sin.
If you will, read Isaiah 6:1-5. These verses record the prophet’s commissioning into the ministry. How his call came to him is through a vision of God "sitting on a throne, high and lifted up." The train of the Almighty’s robe filled the temple, and angelic creatures – each with six wings – were singing praise to God. And as they sang, the temple shook and filled with smoke.
How did Isaiah respond as he envisioned himself in the presence of the Holy One’s awe-inspiring majesty? “Woe to me! I am lost! For I am a man of unclean lips…” Unlike the Pharisees, Isaiah recognized his utter unworthiness in the presence of the Creator: Woe is me! I am a sinful man and am about to be destroyed!
Like Isaiah, during Lent and throughout our lives, when we cast our eyes on God and consider his holiness, God’s first GIFT to us is not his mercy but the awareness of our sinfulness. Scripture says we should fear God, but it means more than paying proper respect and honor to God. Fear means fear! It is the recognition that the Almighty has the power to punish. To fear God is to know that God is against our sinful behavior and thinking and that he is for our turning away from sin.
Lent is a time to reflect on the gift of grace-revealed self-awareness – the awareness of our spiritual brokenness and our need for a forgiving and – yes – a merciful God.
In his vision, God cleansed Isaiah’s “unclean lips” with a burning coal. God cleanses our soul and our life with forgiveness from the cross. Thank God for what we know is coming at the end of this Lenten season. For without the promise of his restorative grace, we would not only be unable to face our sin, we would also be a people without hope.
But please, I encourage all of us not to be too hasty to get to Good Friday and Easter. See the truth the Pharisees refused to see. The Lenten season invites us to take a lingering look at our transgressions and the iniquity that seeks to entangle us.
Because we all have the same need to repent, we are invited to pray for the strength and courage to turn away from whatever immorality or shameful thinking that may entice us. Face the reason for our Lord’s death. Then we can fully enjoy the celebration that is to come!
