Wednesday, March 4th

Relevant Scripture: Romans 4:1–5, 12–17

Writing to the Roman Christians about the footsteps of the journey of faith, the apostle Paul calls to mind the faith of Abraham, who trusted God and believed God, and to whom God credited righteousness. He writes about a God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not—who continues to call us to a letting-go of old ways to engage in a new way of righteous living, founded in the cross of Christ. This journey might take us through tragic situations. It might even lead us to question why we cling to the cross. In the book The Cross and the Lynching Tree, the late liberation theologian James Cone asserts that the cross is scandalous. But he also proclaims that in it, we see the very power of God.

On this continuing journey, we who believe and trust in God follow in the footsteps of our ancestors, including Abraham and Sarah. While the journey will surely take us to some disheartening places, it will ultimately lead us to a deeper relationship with God.

Prayer:
God of life beyond death, God who calls into being things that were not: Help us to turn to you and follow in the steps of our ancestors, as you keep us near the cross of Christ. Amen.

From Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, a Lenten devotional series of Luther Seminary.