Whence come these sorrows, whence this mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which Thou, Lord, must languish;
Yea, all the wrath, the woe, Thou dost inherit,
This I do merit.
LSB 439 st. 3
“[Jesus our Lord] who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”
Romans 4:25
No one likes to think about their sins, especially knowing the great sorrow and anguish they caused Jesus. He suffered in our place on the cross. He received the death that we deserve. Lent is a time to reflect on why Jesus was delivered up. We spend time meditating on God’s Word and promises. We hurt knowing that we should be the ones suffering for our sins and receiving the punishment we deserve.
Even during this time of sorrow, there is Good News! Jesus came to die on the cross and take all our sorrows and anguish upon Himself. We look forward to the joy and promise of a risen Savior. Because of His resurrection, we have the promise of our own bodily resurrection when He comes again. We remember the promises given to us at our baptism. We repent of our sins and receive absolution. We turn our eyes to Jesus, the One who died for the forgiveness of our sins and is raised for our justification, even though we are undeserving.
Let us pray: O God, though we are undeserving of Your mercy, You sent Your only Son to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Grant us peace and comfort during this season of Lent as we look toward the cross and resurrection of Your Son; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
(Amanda Korthase, Deaconess Student)