“Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.” Luke 2:41-52

What was the purpose of Jesus’ life? Many have attempted to answer this question – especially within the Christian tradition. One view is to understand Jesus’ life as an emphasis on Redemption. This view begins with Adam and Eve’s sin of disobedience and fundamental alienation from G-d. This alienation is so profound that G-d had to intervene – God’s very self had to intervene to overcome that alienation. Redemption then is the extraordinary effort of G-d, by G-d to buy us back.

Some emphasize Jesus making up for our sinfulness. The passion and death of the Son is demanded by an Angry G-d so the Son’s suffering is a necessary redemptive act. There is one additional Christian tradition — another perspective on the purpose of Jesus’ life. This View emphasizes the Incarnation – the creation of Life: animals, plants, and people were created, with all of creation, as part of G-d’s purpose through Jesus’ death and resurrection. If we view the passion of Jesus through this lens, then Jesus’ life and purpose are not an afterthought.

From this perspective G-d is not an angry G-d demanding the suffering and death of Jesus as payment for past sin. Instead G-d is a gracious G-d sharing “Divine” life and love in and through creation including sending the Son.

So why? Why Jesus? Because he is G-d incarnate – He is G-d come in human flesh – sharing full humanity with all people. And by proclaiming the reign of G-d through His life, the powers of Rome put him to death. During Lent ponder this question: what does the life of Jesus and His Passion mean to you?

Pastor Dave

 “Is not the fast I choose a day to humble oneself? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house…then your light shall break forth like the dawn.” Isaiah 58:5-8

“When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’ ” And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown.” Luke 4:16-24

Lent. We have come to the time of fasting, repentance, discipline, and other acts of devotion. Or not! It is your choice. Isaiah presents some types of devotion – an old challenge – ones we can take as  suggestions. Or not! It is our choice. Jesus thought what Isaiah had to say was important. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus will read Isaiah in the local synagogue – it marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. A beginning where he almost is tossed off a cliff by the people of his hometown. The ministry of Jesus is a serious thing.

Here is my question for you as we begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday – will you choose to take Lent seriously this year? Will you choose a fast? What kind? Will you choose to share your money, bread, time? Will your outward “fasting” symbolize an internal conversion that will lead you to action?

Will you allow Lent to go by one more year without making a commitment to do something?

Pastor Dave