Today's Reading: St. Matthew 6:1-16, 16-21

Daily Lectionary: Genesis 1:1-9; Mark 1:1-13

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to appear to men to be fasting. Amen, amen, I say to you, they receive their reward.” (St. Matthew 6:16)

Glory be to Jesus! In the name of Jesus. Amen. Whose glory are you seeking? Is your religion and faith all about you or it all about Jesus?

You’d sure like to think it’s about Jesus, wouldn’t you? That’s the right answer after all. But today is Ash Wednesday. It’s time to set aside pretenses and acts, to stop trying to convince the Lord and those around you that you are somehow better than you actually are. It’s sackcloth and ashes day!

Time to be honest with God —truly and brutally honest. You say every Sunday that you are a poor, miserable, sinner, but most days you think that you’re really a pretty good person. All things considered, you aren’t thatbad —not as bad as some people. At least you are trying. Shouldn’t that count for something?

No, it doesn’t. Not before God. God is holy. With God, you are either perfect like your heavenly Father is perfect, or you are out. If you’re perfect, you’re in. If you aren’t, you go straight to hell. That’s harsh, but true.

That’s why Lent isn’t about your sacrifice, what you give up, or how much ashes or repentance you have. It’s about Jesus. Lent is about Jesus’ holy life lived for your sinful life and His suffering and death, making the payment for your sins and the sins of the whole world.

Repent of your sins. Turn from them. Sackcloth-and-ashes turn. Then believe all the more that because of Jesus’ sacrifice for you, you are forgiven.

That’s why we are in Lent! The glory of God is Jesus —His sacrifice for you. Glory be to Jesus! In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

“Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” (Collect for Ash Wednesday)

Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Daily Lectionary: Job 16:1-22; John 7:1-13

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends … For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:7-8, 12)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The problem with people is that they are so often too near-sighted — not in an optical sense, but about their future. St. Paul identifies that near-sightedness when he says "we see in a mirror dimly."

In his day, mirrors were pieces of polished bronze, nowhere near as sharp or clear as modern mirrors. If you have ever used a polished metal mirror, you know what St. Paul means — you can' t see your reflection as well as you' d like, so you' ll never be quite sure if you got that piece of broccoli out from between your teeth.

So it is with your faith and hope. No matter how much you want to know what the future holds, and what your future with Jesus will look like, you only have a vague idea — a faint reflection given in God' s Word.

But just like modern glass mirrors, the truth will shine in sharp, distinct lines on the Last Day. It will be clear and unclouded, and there will be no question about its beauty and glory.

Love IS the greatest in the triumvirate of faith, hope, and love. Love is that which assures you even now that, though the future is clouded, it' s certainty remains.

You only need to look at the cross of Christ to see that love in action, that love working for you and for your salvation. How does God love the world? How does He love YOU? He loves you in this way: His Son accepts your punishment, dies your death, and raises you to life again. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

In the day this world is fading Faith and hope will play their part; But when Christ is seen in glory Love shall reign in ev' ry heart: May love be ours, O Lord. (LSB 695:4)

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Daily Lectionary: Job 15:1-23,30-35; John 6:60-71

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. It sure must have surprised Jesse and his sons to learn that it wasn' t necessarily the biggest and strongest among them who would be chosen to be king of Israel. Instead, it was David, the baby of the family — the young kid left to mind the sheep and do the chores while his older brothers prepared for a sacrifice and meal with the visiting prophet.

But that' s the way God so often works. He has a different grading scale than the rest of us. He sees what can' t be seen by you. It was much the same way on another journey to Bethlehem: Mary and Joseph, just another couple heading south for the census with nothing to distinguish them from anyone else. Yet the Savior of mankind took on flesh and was born to this average couple from Nazareth.

God our Father has a way of doing that over and over again. People who seem so average on the outside wind up being the ones through whom He works: Moses, David, Peter, Paul. All average folks on the outside, yet God called them to do wonderful things for His people.

It is just as true today. Their work might not have quite the same level of awesomeness as dividing the Red Sea or being the greatest king the nation has ever known or defending the faith before hostile governors, but there are plenty of people marked with the sign of the cross who are doing God' s work among you.

Yes, even you. You may not be the most remarkable person among your circle of friends and acquaintances, yet God Almighty has seen within your heart and He knows the plans He has for you and your gifts. Not sure? Look back to your Baptism. He saw it there. Marked with His holy Name, y ou are worthy of His attention. He sees in you a great future — one with Him for all eternity. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

O’er ev’ry foe victorious, He on His throne shall rest, From age to age more glorious, All blessing and all-blest. The tide of time shall never His covenant remove; His name shall stand forever — That name to us is Love. (LSB 398:5)