It is always a good idea to take a momentary step back from one's Lenten journey of self-examination to reflect upon where we are. And, it's also a good idea to begin this reflection by examining a fundamental Christian truth which we often forget amidst the chores of preparation: the reality of God's Grace.

 

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God--not the result of works, lest any one should boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." (Ephesians 2:8-10)

 

No amount of preparation, no amount of self-examination, no amount of self-denial will save you. Our Lenten journey must always be balanced with the continual realization that nothing we do will ever save us. It is only by the grace of God, received through faith, that we are saved. We cannot merit, or earn, salvation. As Paul said, "it is a gift of God."

 

So why do we spend so much time in Lent engaging in self-examination and preparation? I can come up with two good reasons: firstly, we must be made ready to see our culpability in Christ's crucifixion and death; and, secondly, we must be willing to join him in his sacrifice and death so that we will be able to also join him in his resurrection from the dead.

 

You see, we are the reason Jesus hangs on the cross. We are the reason Jesus came into this world, lived with us, taught and loved us, and then died on the cross. We, just as surely as the Roman soldiers, drove the nails into his feet and wrists. We are the reason for this season. Our exercises in self-examination help us to come face-to-face with this truth. We often want to deny our culpability in Christ's death - Lord knows, I would like to - but if we try to deny it, we will also deny the gift of grace itself. It is a gift we can turn down: we don't have to accept it. But, if we open ourselves through careful preparation, we will discover that it is simply impossible for us to deny our guilt. We are the reason Jesus went to the cross. And, with this realization, it becomes possible for us to actually accept the gift of forgiveness.

  

When we have confronted our sins and have truly come to grips with our culpability for his death, we will finally be able to see Jesus on the cross as he really is: our savior. And, when this happens we will also be able to join Jesus there as he defeats our sin through death, and our death through his resurrection.

 

Yes, the gift is free. Grace actually means "unmerited favor." But, we must not be tempted to turn down the gift by refusing to truly see Christ crucified and our role in his suffering and death. We prepare during Lent so that we won't miss him when he is crucified. We prepare during Lent so that our eyes will be opened and our hearts made ready to receive the gift of God's saving grace. It really is too precious a gift to turn down.