DEVOTION//What are you giving up for Lent?

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Today is Ash Wednesday and the start of a 6-week period of time which the Christian Church observes as Lent.

Your sacrifice

You may have heard or been asked in the last few days “What are you giving up for Lent?” In one sense there is nothing wrong with this as people, for a time, get rid of things which they see as a hindrance for their faith.

Jesus’ sacrifice

The Scripture verse reminds us that Lent is all Jesus; who he is and what he did for us. The reason the writer to the Hebrews tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus is because he is “the author and perfecter of faith."

Jesus alone is the one who gives us forgiveness and heaven. We can’t do anything. We are totally reliant on his perfect life providing a substitute for our imperfect life and his innocent death making complete payment for our sins.

Ponder Jesus

Remember that whatever we do for this focus in Lent that it does not send a message that we are doing it for Jesus or our salvation.

One of my favorite Lenten hymns serves as a perfect prayer for this Ash Wednesday thought: Jesus as we ponder now on your holy Passion. Give us Lord your Spirit now, guide us in our meditation. Amen.

God’s blessings to you this Lenten season and always.

Source: We thank Rev. Joel Gaertner, Vice President of Ministry at The Lutheran Home Association, for today’s devotion. To read Pastor Joel’s daily devotions during Lent, “Like” The Lutheran Home Association on Facebook or “Follow” on Twitter.