This coming Wednesday, March 20 is going to be the first day of spring. This is a day that has been long awaited through such a long winter of bad weather and rain. I found it ironic during our last snow when I was playing outside with Dean, when I looked at a snow-covered tree with the buds piercing through the snow. New life was trying to spring forth, even in the cold of winter snow.
Christ is always offering us new life, but so often we miss the signs of new life all around us. I think this is why I love the season of Spring, because we look all around at the beauty of creation and see new life bursting forth. As we continue our “Final Words From the Cross” sermon series this Sunday we see Jesus Christ offering new life to a criminal hung beside him on the cross.
Our Scripture from Luke 23:42-43 reads: “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’” We see in the last moments of his life a criminal reached out to Jesus, and Jesus in God’s mercy invited him into paradise.
What an amazing God we serve! I hope to see you this second Sunday of Lent in worship.
Prayer: Living God, you are always making all things new and offering us new life in the midst of death. Help us to see the signs of your kingdom breaking through all around us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
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