Lent is a season of the church year.  It is the forty days (excluding Sundays) from Ash Wednesday (Feb. 6) till Easter (March 23).  Lent is a season of penitence and self-denial often associated with the idea of “giving something up.”   Like, “I gave up chocolate for Lent.”

This year during Lent, Willoughby Church invites you to a journey toward the cross of Jesus by observing the “words from the cross.”  Jesus spoke seven times from the cross.  Here’s the list:

1. “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” - Luke 23:34.
2. “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” - Luke 23:43.
3. “Jesus said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’” - John 19:26,27.
4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” - Matthew 27:46.
5. “I am thirsty.” - John 19:28.
6. “It is finished.” - John 19:30.
7. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” - Luke 23:46.

I hope that as we journey with Jesus through the words that he spoke, we will discover again the depth of his sorrow.  But I also hope that each of us will be convicted of the depth of Christ’s love.  Perhaps we will become convinced again “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” - Ephesians 3:18.