The Lenten Pilgrimage - Day 9
Friday, February 26th

     “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                               Matthew 5:20

     What we do matters!  What we do with what we’ve been given has consequences!  We are responsible for our response to Jesus’ teachings.  God expects us to bear good fruit.  Accountability its a biblical notion!

      We can’t complete an authentic Lenten journey without asking ourselves some hard questions.  Though we much prefer oohing and awing over Jesus gently holding a little lost lamb, we stunt our faith development if we refuse to recognize and acknowledge the convicting gaze of the Savior who seeks to pierce our soul, to expose and rid us of our sin.

     The Lenten Season pushes us to consider the kind of righteousness to which Jesus calls us, a righteousness not born of self-centered agenda in search of personal gain, but a selfless obedient righteousness motivated purely by love of God and love of neighbor.  While the scribes and Pharisees were adept at adhering to the letter of the law, Jesus was more interested in the law's intent.  And a passion for adhering to the intent of the law will always find its motivation in love. 

Prayer

   Lord Jesus, fill our hearts with love.  We confess how easy it is to limit our witness to the

   adherence of outer laws, while harboring attitudes in our hearts that are inconsistent with

   the intent of God's laws.  Teach us what it means to have a righteousness that exceeds

   hollow religious actions.  Help us to bear witness to your love in the love we freely offer to

   others.  As we journey through this season of Lent, continue to call us to live lives of

   righteousness and holiness, that we might bring glory and honor to you.  In your name we 

   pray.  Amen.