Almost 500 years ago, the world was turned upside down—not with a weapon of mass destruction but with an instrument of mass instruction—a man’s pen. A monk (technically a friar) by the name of Martin Luther penned 95 theses, or propositions, and nailed them to the university bulletin board of his day—the Castle Church door. Luther penned these theses for debate among the professional theologians of his day. At the theses’ heart was this practical question: What does it mean to repent?
In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, “Repent” (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance. (Luther, 95 Theses, No. 1)
Almost 500 years later, we are here on Ash Wednesday, not to debate theses but to confess our sins; not to nail words to a door but to hear words preached from a pulpit. Repentance is on our minds as another Lenten season begins.
Repent: Turn to Jesus! Through the power of the Word the Lord leads us to turn from our wickedness, confess our sins, and know that Jesus has paid the price for our sins in full.
Thanks be to God for our Lord Jesus Christ, let us be renewed to live for him.