By Elizabeth Crawford

Come to Calvary’s holy mountain,

Sinners, ruined by the fall;

Here a pure and healing fountain

Flows for you, for me, for all,

In a full, perpetual tide,

Opened when our Savior died.

(LSB 435, stz. 1)

As we enter into the week before Holy Week, we begin to sense that the end of the Lenten season is near. We have been focusing first on the dark and penitential season of Lent and then on the upcoming celebration of Christ’s resurrection, but unfortunately, Easter is not the end of our struggles with sin. Sin is still prominent in our world even after we remember the wonderful sacrifice Christ made and celebrate His resurrection.

And because of sin, Calvary’s holy mountain is not just meant to be remembered during Lent or on Easter. It is to be remembered every day and every time we struggle. No matter what life circumstances we may find ourselves in, Jesus is always ready willing to receive our broken bodies and troubled minds. Whether struggling with addiction, grief, self-esteem issues, or other sins that we believe could not possibly be forgiven. However, at the foot of the cross we find forgiveness for our sins and the peace of Christ. And because Christ loves us, the foot of the cross comes to us. Each Sunday in the Divine service, the gifts Christ won for us at Calvary are delivered directly to us through Word and Sacrament.

We are invited to come to the cross with all of our problems and pour them out to God. There is no problem, heartbreak, or concern that God will not listen to. Every week when we go to church, we are blessed to hear the faith-giving Word of God, receive the life-giving sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, be forgiven of our sins, and sing praises to God. Baptized into new life in Christ, we are washed of our sins. Yes, we will still struggle in this sinful world, but there is hope now as Christ works through His Word, His Sacraments, and His people. And there is hope in the second coming and final resurrection of Jesus Christ because Christ keeps His promises. Christ is the firstborn of the dead, and He has promised we will rise, too, and live with Him forever. And that’s good news that is a comfort every single day.

They that drink shall live forever;

‘Tis a soul-renewing flood.

God is faithful, God will never

Break His covenant of blood,

Signed when our Redeemer died,

Sealed with He was glorified.

(LSB 435, stz. 4)

Soli Deo Gloria, Amen.

Elizabeth Crawford is a sophomore at Concordia University, Nebraska, where she is double majoring in elementary education and music. She is an active member of Bulldogs4Life, the Y4Life team on campus. She dreams of one day serving as a Lutheran Kindergarten teacher and professional musician.

All hymn texts taken from the Lutheran Service Book (2006).