Ephesians 1:7-8

"We have been ransomed through his Son's blood, and we have forgiveness for our failures based on his overflowing grace, which he poured over us with wisdom and understanding."

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

I once asked one of my seminary profs, Jim Forbes (who went on to be the minister of Riverside Church), if he could help me understand what seemed to me the pronounced differences between the culture of largely Caucasian and largely African-American churches. I think I envied the latter because it seemed as if they were having a lot more fun being church than my crowd.

Jim pondered my question for a few moments, then said, "In predominately Caucasian churches, people tend to believe God needs them; in predominately African-American churches people understand that they need God."

Here we are deep in Lent, a season that sometimes gets turned into our very own spiritual to-do list. Give up this. Practice that. Be better at this, and stop doing that.

But really, the gospel isn't so much a "You do," as it is, "Jesus did." Here in Ephesians Paul piles up verse after verse about what God has done in Christ to break the dominion of Sin and Death in the world and in our lives. In "The Messsage," Eugene Peterson translates today's verse this way: "Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people--free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!"

Maybe this Lent, we could focus on and rejoice in what God has done for us to set us free and give up, at least for a little while, our own sometimes self-centered "to do" lists.

Prayer

Free me, this day, dear Lord, to trust that in you the debt has been paid, the ransom delivered, that Sin and Death have been conquered and I am free, free at last. Amen.

About the Author Anthony B. Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher and writer. His newest book is Stewardship for Vital Congregations, published by The Pilgrim Press. Read his weekly reflections on the current lectionary texts at www.anthonybrobinson.com/ by clicking on Weekly Reading.

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