The Weekly Perspective
by TJ Draper, Deacon
This past week was a study in contrasts. On Tuesday, we feasted on the riches God has granted us, consuming pancakes and rich maple syrup that generally adorns such food. We also celebrated the talent of our brothers and sisters and children. On Wednesday we entered into the Lenten season, marked by the Ash Wednesday service. This service is solemn and includes an extended time of repentance. We are also told during this service, “remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” It is a sober reminder that our time in this life is limited. Ecclesiastes 3:20 says, “All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.”
It is good and right to remember these contrasts. We hold both that God is good and lavishes His gifts of abundance on us as He sees fit, and that the curse of sin and death is still upon humankind. Sin brings death as God told Adam in Genesis 2:17.
Hebrews 9:27 reminds us, “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” But it doesn’t stop there, verse 28 goes on, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” That is why Lent must culminate with Easter. Christ died to bear our sins and give us the hope of life to come. So throughout this season, direct your faith forward to Easter and the Resurrection of our Lord, who has secured for you life eternal.