What Jesus Did

As Lent started yesterday with Ash Wednesday, we begin a 6-week journey to the climax of this season – remembering the death of Jesus and celebrating His resurrection on Easter Sunday.

This image of God and Adam helped me in understanding why God sent Jesus, and what His death and resurrection did for each of us. I just wanted to pray as though I’m talking to my kids, explaining this image as I see it.

Look at the image of God. May you feel our holy, holy, holy God reaching for you. Our God who is set apart because He is so good, sinless, glorious, sovereign, transcendent. Our God who created you, who is calling your name, choosing you, watching over you. Our God whose love for you is eternal. Our God wanting to be part of your life, always ready to comfort, to guide, to rescue.

Now look at Adam. May you reach back for God. May you find this desire bubbling up deep within. May your gaze be set on Him; longing for Him and His love, His peace, the life He freely gives. May this reaching for Him compel you to repent and seek life with Him.

Now look at the space between God and Adam. May you find Jesus in that gap, that chasm, between our holy God the Creator, and you the creature. Jesus the Son, who lived in constant communion with His Father. Jesus who brings us into relationship with God. Jesus the Savior, whose mercy and love led Him to the cross. Jesus the Victor, who defeated death, defeated sin, and gives you hope in overcoming darkness and evil in your life. Jesus who sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within you and advocate for you after He ascended into heaven.

Now imagine how Jesus connects you with God. You are no longer separated by the chasm. May you find that with Jesus in your life, God’s good, holy, loving, life-giving Spirit can flow within you. You, in communion with God, full of His Spirit and life. You, receiving renewal, healing, and restoration. You, who will live eternally with God in heaven.

May this be a Lent of awakening for all of us. A Lent of restoration and healing. A Lent of intimate communion with our Father because of Jesus’s death and the power of His resurrection. Amen.

I have been loving this song lately, remembering what Jesus did for me on the cross: Phil Wickham – Living Hope