In Luke 23:26-28 (ESV) we hear this account from the Passion of our Lord, Jesus, 26 “And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.'”
Note that Jesus instructs the women to NOT pity “poor, poor Jesus,” as some are prone to do during Lent and Holy Week. Jesus would tell us NOT to be deceived by His passion. It was NOT out of weakness! He directs us, instead, to be concerned about ourselves. Repent! Turn from your way to destruction and hell! Then, as now, we are prone to be selfish, hurtful, evil and destructive to one another. This will not get better in this broken world. We can expect that relationships will continue to be fraught with pain and suffering. We will fail. Our children will fail. Families will be broken. Marriages will fall apart.
HOWEVER…we have a MIGHTY SAVIOR who walked the way to Calvary, carrying His cross, for US! He paid the price for our failure and brokenness. He forgives us freely. He gives us new hearts and new love. He enables us to mend our broken relationships and live in peace with one another.
Now, instead of lamenting over “poor, poor Jesus” or wallowing in self pity because of our failures, we can live in EASTER VICTORY! We can honor Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us by receiving and sharing His love.
This is a fitting way for us to observe Lent. Repent of your broken relationships. Receive healing in Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection FOR YOU! Rejoice in new life and new love. Grow in relationships in His way that honor Him and bless the world.
Easter Joy to you All!