Emblems of Lent

The whole world is obsessed with emblems. Emblem explained means: a symbol, or distinctive object of a nation, an organization, or a family Crest/coat of arms.  It is an item usually serving as a symbolic representation of a particular quality or concept. By quality, it is excellent of character – Peculiar ….  By Concept, it is an emblem to publicize what you have to offer, such as in business, in sports, -- in Christianity! Emblems remind us of something most often of quality, or of great importance. I’m beginning with these words to build the Message for today: We understand the Emblem of the Bread and the Fruit of the Vine that Jesus gave to His Disciples. Most important to the Christian Family. We see the cup drawn with grapes, the Bread upon a plate and sometimes the plate will read “This do in remembrance of Me.” If we are a hawk fan, we wear an emblem, or we might wear an emblem of another college or team. The emblem reminds us of some specific thing. Christians and sometimes non-Christians wear a Cross, or people for Israel might wear a Star of David … to day we look at Emblems of the Lenten Season. This is meant to draw us more closely into the Holy Season as we remember our Lord and Saviour. The emblems we will see today are: Sand, A Stone, Silver coins, A Cross, and a Candle.  Each item symbolizes the “Peculiar” path our Lord and Saviour followed as He carried out the Commission of His Heavenly Father. He walked thru the sands of the desert, a lonely place. When we see the Stone, we remember … He is the Stone the builders rejected! Thirty Pieces of Silver, the song writer sings, “The price of a slave” – The Cross is our emblem of security, because of Jesus death, we have Eternal Life! And then we view the Candle … Jesus is the Light of the World and gloriously we read in Revelation [21:23] Speaking of the Eternal City of God -- “The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the Glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof.” O Hallelujah! May we experience once more the great “Forgiving Power” of our Saviour! And with great expectation we look for His soon return! Jesus became flesh, that through His broken body we might have Salvation.    Loving you, Pastor

Benediction

Most Holy Father, You have sacrificed Your Son that we might have Eternal Life. O God help us never to take for granted Jesus broken Body and His Life Blood that was shed for our Salvation. In this Holy Lenten Season we once more remember the Price that Jesus has paid for us. We are Your Peculiar people set apart from the things of this world and abiding in Your Light. As we are reminded of these emblems, may be once more kneel in Your presence to give thanks for Eternal Destination that is in You, our God, and our Saviour! O Holy Ghost refresh our hearts and our minds. Give us the strength that is in the most Powerful Name of Jesus. We desire to be Over-comers, people of Spiritual quality, excellent in Christian character. Through Your precious Blood, the Blood of the Lamb we will overcome. Asking in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,  Amen