Sermons
From the Pastor’s Desk……..
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18 NIV).
During the time of Lent, the Cross of Christ is the focal point. The Cross signifies human sin and God’s unfailing love and forgiveness. Through the prophet Isaiah, God gave an assurance to the Israelites to reason with Him. God promised them forgiveness. Even though their sins are like scarlet, they will be like snow!
God kept up His promise in the sacrificial death of Christ. Christ died for the cause He stood for. That cause was justice for the oppressed. Throughout His life Jesus stood by the poor and thus gave us a mandate to stand by them.
It is a tradition in most of the countries that during the Lenten season, Christians follow a simple lifestyle and keep aside the money they saved to give to the poor. Lent also brings us closer to God. We read the Bible and meditate on God’s Word. During the time of Lent we examine ourselves and realize the stark reality of our sins. That leads us to repent and to ask for forgiveness from God. Confession helps and heals us. Confession humbles us and makes us to think and accept that God is Almighty! Our Merciful God will never let us down.
Lent also gives us an opportunity to seriously take our commitment to Christ and stay committed to Him, and Him alone. Through prayer, we come closer to God and we hear God’s call saying, “Come to Me!” When we heed the voice of God and return to the Merciful Lord, a transformation takes place in our lives. We experience God’s redeeming power working in us. When we go through this journey with God during the forty days of Lent, then Easter becomes meaningful to us.
May this Lenten Season be a time of meditation, forgiveness and reconciliation to all of us. May we focus our attention on the Cross of Jesus and draw strength for our Lord.
Grace and peace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, be with you all!
Sudhama
(Dr. Sudhama Ananda)
