Saturday of Lent 1– March 7, 2020 –Luke 12:32
Till our rest is won;
And although the way be cheerless,
We will follow calm and fearless.
Guide us by Thy hand
To our fatherland.[2]
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
These confident and comforting words, spoken by the Savior are the inspiration for today’s hymn, “Jesus, lead Thou On.” These words of encouragement, “do not fear,” are not designed to be self-improvement or self-help platitudes, nor are they tips for living a new and improved life. These words are promises, grounded in the claim that God’s faithfulness extends to the entirety of His creation.
Your identity, your worth, is not found in your abilities, talents or gifts but in the nail-scared hands of a Savior who has promised to sustain you in times of comfort as well as in times of temptation and testing. His guiding and sustaining hand will direct His children throughout this earthly life until we finally stand in glory - our true fatherland.
Luke reminds us, Jesus is on the road to Jerusalem, teaching His disciples - and occasionally the crowds He attracts - along the way. After sharing the parable of the rich fool, Jesus urged His disciples to dwell on no earthly concerns: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear...Instead, strive for God's kingdom and these things will be given to you as well." -Luke 12:22-23,31
The concerns of this life may weigh us down with worry, anxiety and fear. That’s why we need Jesus’ guidance throughout this life. In every circumstance, look to Him for direction and care.
O God, by Your Word You marvelously carry out the work of reconciliation: Grant that in our Lenten fast we may be devoted to You with all our hearts, and united with one another in prayer and holy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. [3]
1 Luther’s Seal © Higher Things
2 Jesus, Lead Thou On, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
3 Collect for Saturday of Lent 1, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm
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