Day 29 of Lent: April 7, 2025

Hebrews 10:19–25 NRSVUE

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Lent is often seen as a personal journey—a time of personal reflection repentance in order to draw near to God. Sometimes we give something up. Sometimes we take something on. In either practice or in others we turn inward to reflection on our lives. And that’s important.

Because this season calls each of us to remember that Christ died for me—to reckon with our individual sin and our desperate need for grace.

But Lent like life is not a solo pilgrimage.

Hebrews reminds us that the way into the Holy of Holies—the very presence of God—has been opened by Jesus. “A new and living way,” through his body and blood. And because of that, we are invited to come forward with boldness and confidence. “Let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith.”

Notice the language: Let us. Over and over again, these verses speak not to isolated individuals, but to a community of believers bound together by hope.

Let us draw near.

Let us hold fast to our confession of hope without wavering.

Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.

Those words are one we should not forget. You see lent is not only about introspection. It’s also about connection. Christ’s sacrifice didn’t just reconcile us to God—it brought us into one body – a community of faith. We are not only forgiven—we are formed together. And that formation happens in community.

Community keeps us grounded when we’re tempted to give up. It holds the light when our own lamps grow dim. And it doesn’t just offer encouragement—it challenges us. It provokes us, in the best sense of the word, to love more deeply and to live more fully for others.

During this season of reflection, as we draw near to Christ with repentant hearts, let’s also draw near to one another. Let’s resist the temptation to walk this road alone. Let’s hold each other accountable—not through shame, but through encouragement. Let’s not neglect to meet together, whether in sanctuaries, small groups, dinner tables, or quiet conversations. Let’s be the kind of community that stirs one another to love and to do good in the name of the One who gave everything for us.

Because Lent doesn’t end in the wilderness. It ends in resurrection. And resurrection is not just for individuals—it’s for us all.

Prayer:

Faithful God, you have opened the way for us through the sacrifice of your Son. Draw us nearer to you, and nearer to one another. In this season, as we reflect on your love and confront our mistakes and wrongdoings, help us also to build one another up—to speak life, to challenge in love, to encourage in hope. May we never walk this road alone, and may our lives bear witness to your goodness—together. Amen.