The season of Lent is intended to prepare us to celebrate Easter, the death and resurrection of Christ. It is designed to help us explore why we need salvation by meditating on our human condition. In this fifth week of Lent, we begin to understand how the person and work of Jesus bridges us sinners to a holy God:

IN WORD – It’s a familiar story. Two men went to the Temple to pray, and only one of them went away with an answer—an ashamed tax collector who couldn’t even look in heaven’s direction. Why would Jesus tell His disciples a parable that commends standing at a distance from God? Doesn’t He want to draw us near to God? Doesn’t He encourage prodigals to come home? Doesn’t He tell us to call God “Father”? God’s welcoming arms and His invitation to intimacy are solid, biblical themes.
Yet in this parable, Jesus condemns the Pharisee’s familiarity with God and applauds the tax collector’s distance. Why? The difference is the attitude bringing us to God. Are we entitled to be there? Do we come to Him expecting approval for our good behavior? Or do we see Him as a captain who welcomes mutineers back with open arms, a king who opens His palace to former coup instigators? The moment we start to feel worthy of being God’s children, we’re in trouble.
It isn’t wrong to be comfortable with our Father. But on whose merit does He accept us? Ours? No, we are welcome in God’s presence because Jesus is good, not because we’re good. And we never really understand His goodness unless our souls have first felt the loneliness of spiritual exile. Grace is for rebels who have known their offenses.
IN DEED – We probably don’t applaud ourselves for the things that the Pharisee believed made him acceptable— avoiding the really bad sins and appearing better than others. But we can become awfully casual about being in God’s presence. We can act like entitled children who demand the Father’s attention rather than privileged children who are overwhelmed by the Father’s mercies. We don’t remember the depth of the chasm that Jesus bridged. In this parable, Jesus doesn’t mean to teach us to stand at a distance from God. He means to remind us how great a distance was there. “May we never forget. I remember two things; that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.” – John Newton (Chris Tiegreen, “At His Feet”)

The greatest blessing we now have is that we can enter the heavenly Father’s presence solely by our relationship with Jesus and not by the limited merit or efforts on our part. As Jesus’ sacrifice is complete, we can have full confidence that we won’t be rejected or cast out of God’s presence.
Take time this week to meditate on Hebrews 8-10, a chapter each day, then follow up with Ephesians 1-2. Use these passages to give thanks for Jesus’ sacrifice of atonement on the Cross that bridges the chasm between us and the heavenly Father. Then let the Holy Spirit confirm in you the assurance of God’s mercy, grace, and love for you. Have a blessed week! – from Singapore, Pastor Sam