From the Shepherds | March 2025

March 7, 2025

Greetings, brothers and sisters,

This past Wednesday night, several of us at Northside gathered in the Youth Room for an activity in which we together encountered our own mortality and the temporary nature of earthly things. That shared encounter marked the beginning of a forty-day period that Christians for centuries have called Lent. Though the commemoration of Lent has not always been a part of our own heritage in churches of Christ, many in the Stone-Campbell movement have regularly found the experience spiritually helpful and meaningful. Very early in the history of the church, there were those who celebrated special days and seasons, as well as those who did not. The apostle Paul responds to that reality in an interesting way. In his letter to Rome, he tells those who commemorate such days not to look down on those who do not. And to those who fail to celebrate special times and seasons, he states very clearly, “Do not judge those who do.”

Lent is simply a 40-day period of reflection and repentance designed to prepare Christians for Easter. During this time, disciples are encouraged to examine themselves, reflect on their sins, and remember the significance of Jesus’s death. There is value in all of that. For those who follow Jesus, it is important to spend time looking deeply within, identifying our personal flaws and weaknesses, confessing our selfishness and pride, turning to God for forgiveness, and then resting in his grace. Obviously, we don’t need a season of Lent to do that. But many find it helpful to be part of a community that sets aside a designated period devoted to self-examination, repentance, and renewal.

The call to repent was a central part of Jesus’ ministry and message. Matthew and Mark record the very first announcement of Jesus: “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news.” What a message! God’s reign on earth is about to begin. Therefore, people must repent, change their hearts, turn to God, and accept this good news. Repentance is not a one-time event that accompanies our baptism. It in truth requires a lifetime of work. Accepting the call of God is a process that never ends. We never stop giving up what is wrong. We never finish changing and taking on the character traits of Jesus.

Embracing a time of repentance is a remedy for the great spiritual malady of our age: complacency. In these next few weeks, as we journey toward the cross and Good Friday, we discover that the one true and honest response is to repent. For how can we continue to be indifferent about our own sins when we see their ultimate cost in the death of the Son of God?

A penitent heart is an essential quality in the lives of God’s people, but we must remember that repentance is not the end game. For you see, after facing the reality of my own flaws and weaknesses, at the cross I encounter forgiveness. After accepting the truth that I am weak and helpless, at the resurrection I observe a power beyond imagination. In the inspiring words of the apostle Paul, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” It is at the cross that our godly sorrow turns to joy. We rejoice together, brothers and sisters. May God guide us all.

Bruce Utley
From the Shepherds