Lent is that sacred time in which we meditate on our depravity and the depths of Jesus' Passion. We ponder the weight of our iniquities and the consequences that come with our transgressions. However, we also ponder and meditate on the weight of Jesus' atonement and the fruits of His Passion. Yes, we are sinners who deserve nothing but death and hell. However, Jesus suffered death, hell, and sin for us that we may be punished no more. Yes, Jesus has finished all the work of atonement for us. 

What does this mean? What did Jesus do on the cross for us? That is what the next 40 days of blog posts will be about. Is there a sin that Jesus didn't make satisfaction for on the cross? Is there a sinner who is outside of Jesus' forgiveness? Is there something that even God can't get over? We always say that Jesus forgives all sins, but because we say it all the time it has lost all its meaning. The cross is the concrete reality that a real Jesus died for real sinners so that they may be saved from a real hell and delivered into a real heaven. Jesus died for real sinners and paid the debt for real sins. 

This post is to ask y'all to write in with sins that you yourself struggle with understanding how they can be forgiven. It is also for y'all to write in and ask for clarity when it is needed. Some sins we easily believe are forgivable, others we don't see as that sinful, and other sins we see outside of Jesus' grace and mercy. 

Yes, Jesus did die for that. He died for you. That's what Lent is all about. That's what the baptismal life is all about. Jesus died for you that you may live with Him forever. Let us walk through these next 40 days and meditate on the concrete sins that our real Savior died for on the cross for us that we may be forgiven.

May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam be drowned anew so that you may hear only the peaceful voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I love you. I forgive you. I claim you as My own forever," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog