For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:2-3)

Dear Saints of Zion,

February at our congregation brings the smells of sausage and sauerkraut as we anticipate another sausage supper on the 10th. It’s hard to believe that the time has already come. It seems like the smells of Christmas are still lingering in the air. In fact, I’m still burning my Christmas pine candle in my office.

The month of February ushers us into the season of Lent. It’s hard to believe that Lent’s almost here already as well. Just as my pine candle still burns, leaving me immersed in the scent of Christmas, I’m still rejoicing in the prophecies from Isaiah that we hear throughout Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. I hear Isaiah foretell the virgin birth of our Lord (7:14), the shoot that will spring forth from the stump of Jesse (11:1). I hear the voice crying out in the wilderness to prepare His way (40:3). I hear Yahweh promise His servant, His chosen one, filled with His Spirit, who will bring forth justice (41:1). All of those texts just wet our appetite for what is yet to come.

Lent takes things further. We’re not done with Isaiah yet. In fact, our Lenten midweek theme this year is "Our Suffering Savior," based on the texts of Isaiah 52:13-53:12. There Isaiah fleshes out who the Lord’s servant truly is. He's not what the people of this world would expect—not beautiful or attractive that we would desire Him (53:2). He is the One who endures rejection, despised by the world (53:3). He is the One who suffers for you and for me, to bear our griefs, to carry our sorrows (53:4). He is the One pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, to bring us healing and peace with God (53:5).

No wonder the world despises Christ's Church. It despises Him. We can do all we can to make His Church attractive to the world, but in the end, all we really have to offer is what God offers—a Savior, hanging on a cross for the sins of the world. Yes, there is victory in Him to be sure. There is resurrection and life, but it's all hidden under the cross. The liturgy of the Church certainly isn't attractive to many, but it mirrors the suffering Servant that it delivers in Word and Sacrament. That’s why it has endured the test of time, because of what it gives, because of whom it gives—Jesus—the Lord's servant who poured out His soul to death for the world, FOR YOU.

God invites you into His house, you who suffer under the cross. He invites you to bring your sorrows and grief. He calls you back from the stray paths of your sin and accounts you righteous in His sight (53:11). Many of you will answer calls to serve in some way at the sausage supper. Will you answer the call to worship this Lenten season, to BE SERVED by your Savior, to take the extra opportunities to meditate upon His Word and receive His gifts? With Him serving you, you'll be equipped to serve more than sausage and sauerkraut. You'll be equipped to serve your neighbor in love, the love with which your Jesus serves you.

I'll see you at the sausage supper and I'll see you this Lenten season on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays as we walk the path of repentance to the joys of our Lord’s resurrection on Easter.

In Christ,

Pastor Fritsche