The Pilgrim Way of Lent
Romans 8:6-11; 5th Sunday in Lent
Christ Jesus, think on us,
and purge away our sin;
from earthborn passions set us free,
and make us pure within.
Christ Jesus think on us,
amid life's joys and stife;
through every day, through every way,
you are our health and life.
Christ Jesus, think on us,
we would not go astray;
through darkness and perplexity,
point to the heav'nly Way.
Words: after Synesius of Cyrene (5th C)
Martin Luther has said that human nature is like a drunkard trying to ride a horse. He gets on and falls off on the left side. He resolves not to make that mistake again, so he remounts, careful to avoid falling off on the left, and promptly falls off on the right. I like the illustration about the farmer who had two horses, one lean and one well fed. The lad asked, “ Why is one horse fatter than the other?” The farmer said, “ the one grows the most who I feeds the most!”
Matthew Henry said in commenting on Romans 8:6 , “ a carnal soul is a dead soul, dead as a soul can die.” There is no such animal as a carnal Christian either . One foot in the world and one foot in the Spirit is a contradiction the Apostle is trying to tell us .(“ they that are in the flesh cannot please God” –Ro. 8:8) A couple of questions popped in my head as I read this passage over this week.
One question that popped into my head is , “ how?” “ How can we live as Christians in the middle of a fight that often feels like the wagons are circled and we are running out of bullets?” In this time of year as we approach Holy Week ,which Palm Sunday begins , these are the times we need a fresh look at our spiritual lives and where we need correction and help. I came across a preacher in Vermont of all places who helped me start this process:
“ Some hints for Lent by Rev. AC A Hall:
Lent is a time for Retirement. We are bidden at this season to follow our Lord, in some measure, into the wilderness, and give a few weeks to a closer inquiry into the state of our souls, and a nearer approach to God…Secure time, and freedom of mind, for prayer, for the study of God's Word, for self-examination, and the works of repentance, and for gaining instruction in religious matters.” He then identifies the particular areas the individual Christian needs to focus on. This is personal work we need to do.
“The mind of the Spirit is life and peace…” 8:6 One day we will as it says vs. 11 be with Christ because God who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead “shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Life here , life beyond. Win, Win. I like that.
In Christ we are alive , and have eternal life now. When our bodies die we are in Christ and have continuing and everlasting presence with Christ. The evidence of our spiritual life is how we are living now. His kingdom is present in His body, the Church , where two or three are gathered in His name. It is not earned, deserved or won. It is ours because of God’s love /grace , unmerited . But how wonderful it is to know this now. We are living letters seen by all , “ written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.”2 Corinthians 3:2
As we approach Holy week on Palm Sunday let us live in the light of His presence and His glory. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, his face was shining , lit. sent forth beams , “ and the people were afraid to come nigh him.” Exodus 34:30 The law was for the people. It was the way of blessing, life and peace for the people. May we appropriate God’s words into our very being that we may be shining examples of His love to all we meet.
Christ Jesus, think on us,
and purge away our sin;
from earthborn passions set us free,
and make us pure within.
Christ Jesus think on us,
amid life's joys and stife;
through every day, through every way,
you are our health and life.
Christ Jesus, think on us,
we would not go astray;
through darkness and perplexity,
point to the heav'nly Way.
Words: after Synesius of Cyrene (5th C)
Martin Luther has said that human nature is like a drunkard trying to ride a horse. He gets on and falls off on the left side. He resolves not to make that mistake again, so he remounts, careful to avoid falling off on the left, and promptly falls off on the right. I like the illustration about the farmer who had two horses, one lean and one well fed. The lad asked, “ Why is one horse fatter than the other?” The farmer said, “ the one grows the most who I feeds the most!”
Matthew Henry said in commenting on Romans 8:6 , “ a carnal soul is a dead soul, dead as a soul can die.” There is no such animal as a carnal Christian either . One foot in the world and one foot in the Spirit is a contradiction the Apostle is trying to tell us .(“ they that are in the flesh cannot please God” –Ro. 8:8) A couple of questions popped in my head as I read this passage over this week.
One question that popped into my head is , “ how?” “ How can we live as Christians in the middle of a fight that often feels like the wagons are circled and we are running out of bullets?” In this time of year as we approach Holy Week ,which Palm Sunday begins , these are the times we need a fresh look at our spiritual lives and where we need correction and help. I came across a preacher in Vermont of all places who helped me start this process:
“ Some hints for Lent by Rev. AC A Hall:
Lent is a time for Retirement. We are bidden at this season to follow our Lord, in some measure, into the wilderness, and give a few weeks to a closer inquiry into the state of our souls, and a nearer approach to God…Secure time, and freedom of mind, for prayer, for the study of God's Word, for self-examination, and the works of repentance, and for gaining instruction in religious matters.” He then identifies the particular areas the individual Christian needs to focus on. This is personal work we need to do.
“The mind of the Spirit is life and peace…” 8:6 One day we will as it says vs. 11 be with Christ because God who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead “shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Life here , life beyond. Win, Win. I like that.
In Christ we are alive , and have eternal life now. When our bodies die we are in Christ and have continuing and everlasting presence with Christ. The evidence of our spiritual life is how we are living now. His kingdom is present in His body, the Church , where two or three are gathered in His name. It is not earned, deserved or won. It is ours because of God’s love /grace , unmerited . But how wonderful it is to know this now. We are living letters seen by all , “ written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.”2 Corinthians 3:2
As we approach Holy week on Palm Sunday let us live in the light of His presence and His glory. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, his face was shining , lit. sent forth beams , “ and the people were afraid to come nigh him.” Exodus 34:30 The law was for the people. It was the way of blessing, life and peace for the people. May we appropriate God’s words into our very being that we may be shining examples of His love to all we meet.
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