But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Now entering the season of Lent, we consider Jesus’ final journey to the cross. All four Gospels record details of Jesus’ last deeds and words, as the story unfolded over 2,000 years ago. In that sense, it’s an old story. Actually, it’s a right here/right now story.

Check the third word in today’s verse. It’s not that God showed, or will show, but God shows his love. Present tense. Romans 5:8 encompasses the heart of Lent — God’s love, our sin, and Jesus’ death to defeat death. Writing about the “word of the cross” in 1 Corinthians 1:15, Paul says that, “... to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Right here/right now, we are being saved. Right now, we praise God for showing us his love.

Marj Maynard
Pipe Creek, TX

Dear Father, help me respond to your love by sharing it in word and actions. Amen.

Reflect: Consider the events of Lent as God’s ongoing, timeless plan of salvation.

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 2 Corinthians 2:14-17