We begin the 40 day Journey to the Cross by reflecting on what it means to be "poor in spirit." It's a good place to begin. Jesus began his journey to the cross by humbling himself, giving up his place in heaven, to become one of us. Philippians 2:7 says he became a slave, being born in human likeness. That's quite a step down from heaven!
In the same way, as we begin our spiritual journey to the cross, we do so with humility. We do so by admitting we are spiritually poor. So often, as a pastor, there is the expectation that you have it all together spiritually. You lead by example. You supposedly do all the spiritual disciplines of prayer, study, worship, giving, and serving better than others. You are placed on a pedestal for others to follow. You appear to be "rich in spirit." The danger comes if you start to believe that. This is what happened to the Pharisees in Jesus' day. They saw themselves as better than the common sinners.
But I, just like you, live in spiritual poverty. I fail to live as I should and I fail to do as God would want. As I begin this journey, I admit my own sin and my complete dependence on God's grace. I come to church today to receive a smudge of ashes, a visible reminder of my need for repentance and of God's love on the cross. I begin "poor in spirit," trusting that, by God's grace, God's blessing will come.
God be with you as you begin your Lenten "Journey to the Cross."
Thank you, Pastor, for your humble inspiration for us all...your reminder that we are nothing without God! I am often personally touched by the down-to-earth translation of Eugene Peterson's "The Message". I want to share his translation of Matthew 5:3
ReplyDelete"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."
I pray that through your blog we will encourage each other toward spiritual renewal!