Return to the Lord: A Lenten Journey

 

Summary

In this season of Lent, we are called to a profound journey of introspection and repentance, a journey that beckons us to return to the Lord. The theme of our Lenten Midweek Series, "Return to the Lord," invites us to engage deeply with the ways in which we have strayed and to embrace the path of return. This path is not merely a turning away from sin but a turning towards the abundant grace and mercy of our Lord.

Our reflection begins with the prophet Joel, who presents a vivid image of the devastation wrought by swarms of locusts. This image is a powerful metaphor for the weight of our sins, which, like locusts, can consume and destroy the life we know. Yet, in the midst of this destruction, Joel offers a promise of salvation to those who call on the name of the Lord. This promise is not just for the Israelites but for us as well. We are reminded that our sins, no matter how numerous or seemingly insignificant, have the power to overwhelm us. But there is hope in the Lord's promise that everyone who calls on His name shall be saved.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches us about the nature of true righteousness. He warns against practicing piety for the sake of being seen by others, for such actions have their reward in the fleeting praise of people. Instead, we are called to give, pray, and fast in secret, for our Father who sees in secret will reward us. Our treasures should not be laid up on earth, where they are vulnerable to decay and theft, but in heaven, where they are secure and eternal. For where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.

As we enter into this Lenten season, we are marked with ashes, a symbol of our mortality and a reminder of our need for repentance. These ashes, in the shape of the cross, signify both our humanity and our redemption through Christ. We are called to die daily to sin and to live anew in Christ, bearing the fruits of the Spirit.

In our prayers, we turn to God for the Church, the world, and all who are in need. We pray for the peace and unity of the Church, for the well-being of all people, and for the strength to live out our repentance and faith. We give thanks for the saints who have gone before us and pray for the day when all will be reunited in the Lord.

As we journey through Lent, let us embrace the call to return to the Lord with all our heart, trusting in His gracious mercy and steadfast love. May we be transformed by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit, living lives marked by genuine repentance, fervent prayer, and acts of love toward our neighbors.

Key Takeaways:

- The devastation caused by locusts in the prophet Joel's time is a stark representation of the destructive nature of sin in our lives. Just as locusts can obliterate everything in their path, sin, if left unchecked, can lead to spiritual death. However, the promise of salvation through calling on the Lord's name offers us a way out of this destruction. [52:54]

- True righteousness is not about outward displays for human approval but about the inward condition of the heart before God. When we give, pray, and fast, it should be done in a manner that seeks God's eyes alone, for He rewards what is done in secret. This principle challenges us to examine our motives and to cultivate a personal, authentic relationship with God. [38:05]

- The practice of laying up treasures in heaven rather than on earth serves as a reminder to prioritize eternal values over temporal gains. Our hearts follow our treasures, and by investing in what is everlasting, we align ourselves with God's kingdom and its righteousness. This perspective shapes how we live our daily lives and interact with the world around us. [38:35]

- The imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday is a physical reminder of our mortality and sinfulness, but also of the hope we have in Christ's redemptive work. As we wear the ashes in the shape of the cross, we acknowledge our need for repentance and the new life that Christ offers us through His sacrifice. [10:09]

- Our Lenten journey is an opportunity to deepen our faith and to live out the implications of our baptism. Each day, we are called to die to sin and rise to new life in Christ. This daily rhythm of repentance and renewal is the essence of the Christian life and prepares us for the ultimate return to the Lord for eternity. [55:48]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Joel 2:12-13 (ESV)
> "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

2. Matthew 6:1-4 (ESV)
> "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

3. Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
> "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

#### Observation Questions
1. What metaphor does the prophet Joel use to describe the weight of our sins, and what promise does he offer to those who call on the name of the Lord? ([44:00])
2. According to Jesus in Matthew 6, what should be our attitude when giving to the needy, praying, and fasting? ([36:52])
3. What does Jesus say about where we should lay up our treasures, and why? ([38:19])
4. How do the ashes on Ash Wednesday symbolize both our mortality and our redemption in Christ? ([09:48])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the image of locusts in Joel's prophecy help us understand the destructive nature of sin in our lives? ([44:00])
2. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of secrecy in our acts of righteousness, such as giving, praying, and fasting? ([36:52])
3. What does it mean to lay up treasures in heaven, and how does this perspective shape our daily lives and interactions with others? ([38:19])
4. How does the practice of wearing ashes on Ash Wednesday help us reflect on our need for repentance and the hope we have in Christ's redemptive work? ([09:48])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by your sins. How did you find hope in the promise that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved? ([46:09])
2. In what ways can you ensure that your acts of giving, praying, and fasting are done with the right motives, seeking God's approval rather than human praise? ([36:52])
3. Identify one area in your life where you have been laying up treasures on earth. What steps can you take to shift your focus towards laying up treasures in heaven? ([38:19])
4. How can the symbol of ashes on Ash Wednesday serve as a daily reminder for you to die to sin and live anew in Christ? ([09:48])
5. Think of a specific sin that you have been struggling with. How can you turn to the Lord and seek His grace and mercy to overcome it? ([52:10])
6. How can you incorporate the practice of fervent prayer and acts of love towards your neighbors during this Lenten season? ([54:21])
7. Reflect on the saints who have gone before us. How does their example inspire you to live a life marked by genuine repentance and faith? ([55:56])

Devotional

Day 1: Sin's Destructive Power and Hopeful Redemption
Sin, like a swarm of locusts, can devastate our spiritual landscape, leaving us feeling barren and desolate. Yet, amidst this bleakness, there is a beacon of hope. The promise of salvation is extended to all who call upon the Lord's name, offering a path out of destruction and into restoration. This hope is not a mere wishful thought but a guaranteed assurance from the Lord, who is faithful to save. It is a call to recognize the gravity of our sins and the profound mercy that can deliver us from them. The journey of Lent is an opportune time to reflect on the areas of life where sin has caused havoc and to seek the Lord's saving grace with a contrite heart. [52:54]

"Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. (Joel 2:12-13 ESV)

Reflection: What are the 'locusts' in your life that have caused destruction, and how can you actively seek God's mercy and salvation to overcome them?

Day 2: The Inward Condition of True Righteousness
True righteousness is a matter of the heart, not a performance for human accolades. It is cultivated in the secret places where only God can see, and it is from these hidden depths that genuine piety emerges. This Lenten season challenges believers to examine their motives behind acts of piety such as giving, praying, and fasting. It is an invitation to engage in these practices not for the praise of others but for the eyes of the Father, who sees in secret and rewards accordingly. The call is to a sincere and personal relationship with God, where the desire to please Him surpasses the desire for human approval. [38:05]

"But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:3-4 ESV)

Reflection: How can you ensure that your acts of piety are done with the right heart attitude, seeking only God's approval and not human recognition?

Day 3: Investing in Eternal Treasures
The treasures we accumulate on earth are transient and vulnerable, but the treasures we store in heaven are imperishable and eternal. This perspective calls for a reevaluation of priorities, encouraging believers to invest in what truly matters in the grand scheme of eternity. It is a reminder to set one's heart on the things above, where true value is found. By focusing on heavenly treasures, one's life becomes a reflection of God's kingdom values—love, justice, and righteousness. This Lenten season is an opportunity to align one's heart and actions with the eternal, transforming daily living into a testament of faith. [38:35]

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20 ESV)

Reflection: What are some earthly treasures you have been prioritizing, and how can you begin to shift your focus towards investing in heavenly treasures?

Day 4: Ashes as a Symbol of Mortality and Redemption
The imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday serves as a poignant reminder of human mortality and the need for repentance. These ashes, marked in the shape of the cross, signify not only our earthly finitude but also the hope of redemption through Christ's sacrifice. This dual symbol invites believers to embrace both the humility that comes with acknowledging one's sinfulness and the joy of the new life offered in Christ. It is a call to daily die to sin and to rise anew, living out the transformative power of the gospel. The ashes are a visual and tactile representation of the journey from death to life, from ashes to beauty. [10:09]

"For you are dust, and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:19b ESV)

Reflection: How does the symbol of ashes inspire you to live a life of daily repentance and to embrace the redemption offered through Christ?

Day 5: The Rhythm of Repentance and Renewal
The Christian life is marked by a continuous rhythm of dying to sin and rising to new life in Christ. This daily process of repentance and renewal is the essence of our faith, preparing us for our ultimate return to the Lord. Lent provides a structured time to engage more deeply with this rhythm, encouraging believers to live out the implications of their baptism. It is a season to reflect on the transformative work of the Holy Spirit and to commit to bearing the fruits of the Spirit in all aspects of life. This journey of transformation is not just for the individual but for the entire community of faith as they look forward to the day of reunion with the Lord. [55:48]

"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4 ESV)

Reflection: What does the daily rhythm of dying to sin and living for Christ look like for you, and how can you more intentionally engage with this process during Lent?

Quotes

"We view them in light of eternity, not in light of the inconvenience that they are. Because the bigger our sin looks, the bigger the grace of God must be to overcome it." [52:54](Download)

"Brothers, sisters, saints in Christ, turn from your sin. Turn from your sin because He is gracious, because He is merciful, because He is abounding in steadfast love both now and in eternity." [52:54](Download)

"The new life in Christ is marked by the fruit of the Spirit as a way of life to which we now aspire by the grace of God." [10:09](Download)

"Return to the Lord your God. He is gracious. He is merciful. He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." [52:54](Download)

"God's call to return is a call to join Jesus on His path of pain and suffering. But more than this, the same path leads to life." [52:54](Download)

"See the thing about sin is one sin becomes another sin and becomes another sin and becomes another sin until we're buried in an avalanche of sin and we don't know what to do." [48:54](Download)

"Joel is saying it is not innocent. Sin kills people. We have our swarm of locusts, but just like the Israelite, we have something more than a swarm of locusts. We have the same promise." [50:45](Download)

"For this congregation, that our intensified repentance, fasting, and prayer lead us to live in renewed ways, dying to sin with Christ and Holy Baptism each day, and being raised to new life as well every day and into eternity." [55:48](Download)

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Transcript
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