Dear Friends in Christ,

     I had a friend who told me once years ago, that it was a good thing that we didn't know what was actually out there in the future for us, or it would scare us to death! And during my doctoral studies at Drew Theological School back in the late 1980s (boy, doesn't that sound like a long time ago!) we read a book entitled, "The Denial of Death" in which the author stated that all of us live in a kind of denial about what will ultimately come to pass for every one of us. We can't dwell each day on the fact that none of us gets out of here alive - it would paralyze us into inactivity. So we tend to put that little fact on a shelf back there in some dusty storage room in our minds and go on each day as though we'll live forever. It's the only way we could conceivably function.

     Now, lest you think I've gone morbid on you in writing this article, I share those thoughts with you only to highlight the absolutely miraculous journey Jesus was willing to take, because he knew all along that his road would lead to the cross and to an agonizing death. Yet he journeyed on! And he journeyed on because he knew there was no other way to make the forgiveness of our sins a reality any believer could experience.

     If I knew that taking a certain road would lead to my untimely death, I'd do everything I could to avoid it, and I'm pretty certain that most of you who are rational out there, would do the same. But step by step, Jesus drew ever closer to death by crucifixion, and for one reason only. John 3:16 tells us that reason exactly: "For God so loved the world, he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."

     The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 6, a time of personal reflection and soul searching, a time to remember what Jesus was willing to suffer for us. We'll journey with him each Sunday morning as we examine the encounters he had with people along the way, and how his journey changed their lives forever. We'll follow him all the way to the cross. And then, on Easter Sunday morning, we'll celebrate with all the hosts of heaven that Jesus' willingness to embrace the cross and take our sins upon himself, frees us from that paralyzing fear of death. For He has already won the victory over both sin and death for us, and with His resurrection, the promise of life everlasting becomes God's promise to each one of us who believes in His name. Thanks be to God for the wondrous journey Jesus was willing to take for us - a journey from heaven to earth -- and back again!

Yours in the Service of Christ and the Church

Bob

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