The solemn season of Lent starts with a reminder of our sin and mortality on Ash Wednesday, with the words “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” But at the end of this season on Easter, we celebrate life and Christ’s victory over death in His resurrection. In this verse from Romans, Paul reminds us that as believers in Christ, we participate in Christ’s resurrection.

Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection teach us a lot of things about God. One important part I focus on is that God loves life. God loves His creation. He doesn’t want to destroy His creation, but to make it new and to live with us. The mystery of the Incarnation shows us that God, through Jesus Christ, has eternally united Himself to humanity. He loves us so much that not only did He die for us, but He also lives for us as our mediator, the man Jesus Christ.

So how can we possibly live with Him? Because He came to live with us. And by His grace, and through His atoning death and glorious resurrection, we are freed from death, redeemed from sin, and united again with our Creator. Thanks be to God.

O Lord, let us recognize your love for life through the season of Lent and Easter. In Christ’s name we pray, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, Amen.

Sam Lanzer, 2022

But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Romans 6:8