Life Is Hard...and I Know Why

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Okay, so this is the second time that I've used this picture in the last month, but it fits my sermon theme for today.

On The First Sunday in Lent we recall Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. It is also the day we remember our fall into sin through our first parents, Adam and Eve. 

These are not "feel good" Bible readings, other than the fact that Jesus resisted temptation. We come face-to-face with our need for God to do something about our broken, sinful condition.

In the midst of the fact that death enters our world through Adam and Eve, there is also grace in this text. There is grace in the promise that the head of the serpent will be crushed, and there is an immediate grace in God clothing Adam and Eve.

"And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them." Genesis 3:21 English Standard Version

God's promise of crushing Satan's head has been fulfilled in Jesus. Because of Jesus' victory we are also people of the promise of Jesus' return not only to crush Satan, but cast him into the Abyss for all eternity. That's what we look forward to on this Lenten journey, yet God's grace is not limited to some future event.

Like Adam and Eve, who were clothed by God, we experience his grace today. That's why the picture of snow. Believe me, the snow covers a multitude of problems in my yard. They are no longer visible, covered by the grace of snow.

Your sin has been covered by the grace of Christ. Your sin is no longer visible to God. Yes we wait for Christ's return, but that doesn't mean we can't experience his presence now. His presence is known in forgiveness.

Question for the Day: If you were to take a picture of God covering your sin what would that picture look like?

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(Click on picture to enlarge.)

Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-14 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR