Let Us Set Things Right

Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

By Melanie Rigney

Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord; though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; but if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken! (Isaiah 1:18-20)

To the upright I will show the saving power of God. (Psalms 50:23b)

“Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 1:8-12)

Piety

Lord, how can You see me, an ever-failing sinner, as someone worthy of Your love and redemption? I am in awe of Your saving power.

Study

Ah, redemption.

There are plenty of people in the world who try to be good because it’s the right thing to do. They perform charitable works, do random acts of kindness, treat others with gentleness and kindness we should all attempt to emulate. You don’t have to be a Christian to be good.

There are plenty of faith traditions that believe we can be forgiven and saved from our exile from the Lord: Judaism, obviously; Islam; Eastern religions. You don’t have to be a Christian to believe in forgiveness.

But as Christians, we believe in the redemption purchased for us by Christ’s suffering and death. We can’t buy redemption ourselves; being good people isn’t how we get there. It’s through our belief in Christ and what He did for us, imperfect as we may be. It’s through our belief that through Him, the Lord’s promise in today’s reading from Isaiah of cleaning our sins, will be realized. It’s through humbling ourselves as His servants as Jesus humbled himself and submitted to the Father, that we too will be redeemed.

The words are easy. The way is hard. But the path is well lit, and the travel guide experienced.

Action

Be a servant today in Christ’s name to someone who shows no sign of appreciating your sacrifice.