First Monday in Lent Devotion

With His Wounds                                            First Monday in Lent - February 22, 2021

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

LSB 420 – Christ, the Life of All the Living

(Verse 2 of this week’s hymn serves as inspiration for today’s devotion)

“It’s not fair!”  So says the child who is being punished for what his brother did.  “It’s not fair!”  So says the adult who doesn’t think he deserves the speeding ticket he is receiving.  “It’s not fair!”  So says the “good person” who works and works seemingly for “pennies,” while the “bad person” seems to have everything he or she wants.

We are a society that concerns itself with “fairness.”  We want to be treated fairly and we complain when we aren’t.  And yet, we truly have nothing to complain about.  In Romans we are told that all of us have sinned and so there truly is no such thing as a “good person.”  There was only one person that has ever lived that had any right to complain about “fairness,” and that person is Jesus.

Not only did Jesus not complain, He willingly faced suffering and death.  He was beaten, and killed in our place.  And because of all that, we are forgiven and promised eternal life.

Prayer

Dear Lord, You took our punishment, our suffering, our death upon You and You gave us life and salvation.  Receive our thanks and praise, and keep us ever mindful of your love and compassion.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Rev. Matthew D. Roeglin – Blessed Savior Lutheran Church