Then Jesus took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. "They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again." (Luke 18:31-33)

 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Lent is coming soon. Seeing Lent, properly celebrated, isn't about dwelling on our sins. It's about giving closer attention to what Jesus did in His suffering and death for you. Jesus is going up to Jerusalem to take your sins away.

 

Jesus told His disciples that He was heading to Jerusalem and to death. Our Lord preaches and teaches over and over again that He comes to save you by giving His life as a ransom for yours. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3) Jesus takes your curse, your sin and your death into Himself--so that He can bless you.

 

Good Friday is NOT good for Jesus but it is good for us--good for sinners for whom Christ goes up to Jerusa-lem. This is what is written by the prophets — all about Jesus and what He has accomplished for you.

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (Romans 5)

 

Good Friday to Easter--this is where the Church is going--this 40 day journey to the Cross and Empty tomb of our Lord. Jesus pinnacle work for you and your salvation. They will scourge Him and kill Him. The 3rd Day Jesus will rise again.--Life flows from Jesus--. Jesus’ life fills you up with His Living Water in Holy Baptism--gives you the Holy Spirit, Jesus Living Word fills your ears with forgiveness and Jesus Bread from Heaven gives you His body and blood and fills you up with life everlasting.

 

Jesus went up to Jerusalem to win salvation for you. They sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Rev. 5)

 

In the going up--did you catch the "we" part? "Behold we are going up to Jerusalem" we are NOT helping Jesus along, we are NOT helping in the salvation work. The "we" part is we get to witness all of Jesus’ saving work is for us. Lent's 40 day journey focuses on this: what Christ does He does for you. In Name of Jesus. Amen.

 

Here we have a firm foundation, Here the refuge of the lost:

Christ, the Rock of our salvation, Is the name of which we boast;

Lamb of God for sinners wounded, Sacrifice to cancel guilt!

None shall ever be confounded Who on Him their hope have built.

(LSB 451:4)