Pastor's Corner

“For Us”
During the month of March, we are in the very heart of the Lenten season. We reflect upon our sins, and remember Christ has called us to repent of those sins. But more than just concentrating upon ourselves, the season of Lent is especially a time for us to focus upon Christ. In particular, we focus upon what Christ has done for us as we prepare to enter Holy week and Easter.

During our recent Ash Wednesday service, I was particularly reminded of all that Christ has done for us. Before the service, we had some “quiet” time for reflection, so I read through the hymn “O Love, How Deep” (LSB #544). What struck me almost immediately about this hymn was often it mentioned that Jesus did something specifically “for us.” In fact, the phrase “for us” appears fourteen different times. Here are just a few:

For us baptized, for us He bore
His holy fast and hungered sore;
For us temptation sharp He knew;
For us the tempter overthrew.

Always remember, everything Jesus went through in His baptism, fasting and temptation was not done for Himself, it was done “for us”.

For us by wickedness betrayed,
For us, in crown of thorns arrayed,
He bore the shameful cross and death;
For us He gave His dying breath.

During Lent we focus not just upon our sins, we focus upon Christ and especially what He has done to com-bat our sins through His death on the cross.

For us He rose from death again;
For us he went on high to reign;
For us He sent His Spirit here
To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.

Even Christ’s resurrection was done “for us.” I pray for all of us that the remaining time we have in this Lenten season can be focused more and more upon Christ. Everything He did in this world was “for us.” If you ever forget, or just want to remember better, try singing the above hymn every day during Lent, read it, or prayerfully reflect upon it.

– Pastor Grimenstein