Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold,
the new has come.
One of the buildings that was severely damaged was a
beautiful old white wood and brick barn, on the outskirts of our town. The barn which was beautifully lit with Christmas lights during the Advent season,
had been a beautiful part of that community for many generations.
As I drove past the barn I saw what the winds of
destruction could do to man-made structures, but what I also observed is that the
rock foundation is as solid as the day it was built. Many in that community were saddened over the destruction of this beautiful barn, as it has been such an
essential memory of that communities past.
As we journey together through this season of Lent, I
share my observations by just staring at a blown down barn.
- When the winds came, many suffered some sort of damage, but when the winds subsided many came together and spoke the same language of helping their neighbors: The Bible tells us: Acts 2:1-47 ESV. When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ...
- · Even though the barn structure was blown down, its brick walls and foundation still stands strong: The bible tells us: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. Luke 6:46-48 ESV
- · Even though the barn structure was torn down, we see the new life of God in the form of beautiful purple flowers that have begun to sprout. Purple (actually a shade of violet) is the traditional color associated with Lent, which is the 40-day period of time that comes after Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. Purple is a color rich in symbolism. It is a deep, almost night-like color that focuses our attention on the fasting and repentance associated with the Lenten season. It is also a color of royalty, particularly the Roman emperors at the time of Christ. As an act of derision toward Our Lord, Pilate placed a purple robe on Jesus, whom he called “King of the Jews”. Turning this act of scorn on its end, however, the final Sunday of the liturgical year in November is the Solemnity of Christ the King, in which the true royalty of Christ is revealed. The fourth Sunday in Lent is called “Laetare Sunday”. “Laetare” is Latin for “rejoice”. It occurs after the midpoint of Lent and because of that the deep purple color of the vestments are lightened somewhat to “rose”. It is a time of celebration in that, though Lent is a time of sacrifice, the resurrection of the Lord following His death on the cross is getting closer.
- · Additionally, the Bible says this about flowers: And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Matthew 6: 28
Beloved, may things on this
earth made by God remind us not only of His power, but His love for us. So
instead of seeing a blown down old barn, let it remind you of these things.
1. When
we build our lives on a Godly foundation, even the strongest wind will not
remove our foundations. Let us build our lives on God in trust, faith, and
love.
2. From
destruction comes new life: This Lenten season, Christ the King will be beaten,
mocked, and crucified. From this he will be resurrected, thus telling us that
because of Jesus death no longer holds its sting over us.
3. Finally,
even in times of loss and destruction... do not worry. We have been made anew through
our baptisms, and through our personal relationships with Jesus Christ we are
made strong and we are made eternal.
As winds blow down structures,
they can be rebuilt. Likewise through the life, death, and resurrection of
Jesus Christ, we are all rebuilt. As long as we are in relationship with Him,
Satan can never blow us down or destroy us.
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