Lenten Journey, March 24, 2010

Father of mercy; hear the prayers of your repentant children who call on you in love. Enlighten our minds and sanctify our hearts. Amen

John 8:31-42Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?”Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.”
They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!”So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”

The crowds in the gospel struggle to understand the words of Jesus in explaining being set free – free from the slavery of sin. They are focused on a fragile earthly freedom. They are not listening. They remain focused on earthly foibles. Listening to the words of Jesus and knowing the sacrifice he made for our sins lets us know we are loved. Many of us are slower to forgive ourselves than the forgiveness and grace we know comes from God. Thinking of that love, I recently heard a new arrangement of Amazing Grace. While any version of Amazing Grace will easily fill my soul with gratitude and my eyes with tears, this particular one goes back to some of John Newton’s original words for the final verse and adds in a refrain throughout the song that fits well with today’s gospel. My hope is that you have a similar reaction to mine – each time I hear this I want to throw my arms up high and praise the Lord in humble thanksgiving.
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy reigns Unending love, amazing grace.
Amazing Grace (My chains are gone) – Chris Tomlin

Loving Creator, we know in your great love for us, you see the deep sorrow in our hearts. Hear our prayers which are offered with such trust in you. Be with us in both mind and heart as we renew our lives in your spirit this Lenten season. Amen.