Preparing for Easter
Lenten Devotional Series Day 1. Today’s meditation comes from Luke 18:18-27.
The Apostle Paul believed that everything depended upon the resurrection of Jesus. If it weren’t for Easter, all of Christianity would be nonsense. Why, then, do we as Christians so often stumble into Easter unprepared?
I recently attended a conference at a retreat center in the country. At some point along the way there, my smartphone signal dwindled to zero. I hadn’t thought to bring a map. I had a phone number for where I was headed, but of course I couldn’t use my phone to call (or email or SMS) for directions. I had an address, but my GPS was <out of range>. Though every ounce of testosterone militated against it, I had to do the unthinkable: I had to stop and ask for directions! Repeatedly! The weekend would have been much more enjoyable and fruitful had I been better prepared.
Our approach to Easter is often quite similar. We know Easter’s coming in a few weeks, but do we really need to do anything special to get ready? Forty days of penitence studying the Ten Commandments seems a bit over-the-top. Is Lent really necessary?
Are we not like the Rich Ruler? Jesus invited him to consider his own moral purity in view of God’s law. “You know the commandments,” Jesus said. “Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.”
Jesus got the Ruler’s automated response: “I have kept these all my life.”
If you or I were to encounter Jesus today, would our conversations with him be any different? I must confess that I feel much the same way as the Rich Ruler did. When it comes to the Ten Commandments, I don’t need much time for reflection. My automated response is quite similar to the Ruler’s. “Who me? I haven’t carved any graven images, murdered anyone, or cheated on my wife.”
“One thing you still lack,” Jesus says. In spite of our superficial piety, the truth is that we have broken every commandment in our hearts on countless occasions. We may have some measure of relative holiness when we compare ourselves with others. But until we see ourselves as God sees us, we’ll be blind to our sin and unaware of our desperate need for Easter.
What one thing did the Ruler lack? He lacked that which the Ten Commandments were intended to foster—a relationship with God.
God is calling us to draw near to him in relationship. Lent is a time for drawing near to him by seeing ourselves as he sees us—so that we might run to him rather than run away. Only by drawing near to him will we be prepared to celebrate the anniversary of our new life relationship with him on Easter day.
Today in prayer, ask God to turn off your automated response to him. Confess any inclination toward self-righteousness, especially through comparing yourself against other fallen creatures. Ask him for the grace to see yourself as he sees you, so that you might draw near to him in relationship and be prepared for Easter when it comes. Then conclude with today’s Collect of the Day.
The Collect of the Day. Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts, so that worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, we may obtain from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
To read more about how to make the most of Lent, see Into the Depths by Aubrey Spears, and The Lenten Journey by Chuck Colson.