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In Psalm 128, those who fear the Lord are blessed with land brimming with crops, a house filled with the merriment of children and an enviously lengthy life to enjoy it all. The prophet Isaiah describes a future with a new heaven and a new earth. “New,” because unlike what we experience in our present day, there is no pain and suffering, injustice or strife, but instead continual praise, gladness and lasting joy. In Romans, Paul says the ultimate blessing from God is salvation, when sins are forgiven and a new life with God is born. But before we can look forward to the beauty of heaven and experience the blessing of a relationship with God, Jesus had to die.
Jesus humbled himself and stepped down from heaven, a place where he experienced perfect peace and communion with his father. On the earth he was mocked, discredited and unjustly accused. His life of suffering culminated with the excruciating agony of hanging on a cross, dying a death he didn’t deserve and experiencing separation from his father. The perfect Son of God died the death of a cursed sinner. Why would he willingly do this? In the Gospel of John, Jesus answers that his sole purpose was to do the will of his Father. Motivated by love, God knew that the only way his holiness could be reconciled with our sinfulness was through a perfect sacrifice being made. And by faith, Jesus’ death becomes our way to experience true life as it was originally intended. His righteousness becomes our righteousness, and his holiness our holiness. Therefore, there remains a future hope of glory with God that can never be taken away. Just as Abraham was credited with righteousness because of his faith, before his good works, we too are counted as righteous because of our faith in Jesus apart from and prior to anything good that we have to offer.
Until our glorious presence with God is fulfilled, we wait patiently in faith and hope. Although the circumstances of life may at times bring with it suffering, pain and injustice, we remain steadfast that our purpose here is to also do the will of our Heavenly Father. This life is not all that there is and things don’t always happen the way that they should. Yet, for those who believe, there will come a time and place where peace, justice, and incredible abundance reign. Our new life in Christ is just a foretaste of what is surely to come. Rejoice!
ELENA WONG ESPIRITU & RODNEY ESPIRITU
School of Occupational Therapy
College of Health Sciences
Jesus humbled himself and stepped down from heaven, a place where he experienced perfect peace and communion with his father. On the earth he was mocked, discredited and unjustly accused. His life of suffering culminated with the excruciating agony of hanging on a cross, dying a death he didn’t deserve and experiencing separation from his father. The perfect Son of God died the death of a cursed sinner. Why would he willingly do this? In the Gospel of John, Jesus answers that his sole purpose was to do the will of his Father. Motivated by love, God knew that the only way his holiness could be reconciled with our sinfulness was through a perfect sacrifice being made. And by faith, Jesus’ death becomes our way to experience true life as it was originally intended. His righteousness becomes our righteousness, and his holiness our holiness. Therefore, there remains a future hope of glory with God that can never be taken away. Just as Abraham was credited with righteousness because of his faith, before his good works, we too are counted as righteous because of our faith in Jesus apart from and prior to anything good that we have to offer.
Until our glorious presence with God is fulfilled, we wait patiently in faith and hope. Although the circumstances of life may at times bring with it suffering, pain and injustice, we remain steadfast that our purpose here is to also do the will of our Heavenly Father. This life is not all that there is and things don’t always happen the way that they should. Yet, for those who believe, there will come a time and place where peace, justice, and incredible abundance reign. Our new life in Christ is just a foretaste of what is surely to come. Rejoice!
ELENA WONG ESPIRITU & RODNEY ESPIRITU
School of Occupational Therapy
College of Health Sciences
About this Plan
Through an intentional partnership between the Office of University Ministries and the College of Theology & Christian Ministry, this Lenten devotional guide has been created for our community. Our prayer is that the words found here will nourish and challenge you as you journey with Jesus to the cross during this Lenten season.
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We would like to thank the students and staff of Belmont University for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.BELMONT.edu
