The traditional Songs of Ascent are found in the book of Psalms, chapters 120-134. They are pilgrim songs, originally sung by those making the journey up the hills to Jerusalem, up to God’s temple, up to the one place on earth where the Presence of God abided.
For us, however, such songs and their deepest meanings have been forever changed. Rather than the longing songs of exiles bound for home or the soulful melodies of starved worshippers about to break fast, all true songs of ascent now blend in chorus to exalt one particular march up to Jerusalem.
In Luke’s gospel, we learn that “as the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (9:51). Here we see the first step in the Lord’s own ascent towards Jerusalem, towards his people, his temple, his cross, his grave, and his Ascension to the Father’s right hand.
And now that Christ’s death and resurrection have broken wide the holy of holies, we declare and celebrate the ascent of His pleasure and rule in every realm, seen and unseen. Our songs of ascent, then, no longer reflect humanity’s endless religious quests to feel worshipful. They point instead to God’s resolute, relational march towards the high and holy places of our hearts where we were made to worship him in Spirit and truth...
God, in Christ’s death and resurrection, has freed us from fear of death and judgment, and, now that we are free, He calls us to follow Him. Where? Towards our Jerusalem—which is Christ.
The following meditations reflect upon the benchmarks of Christ’s journey from Bethany to Jerusalem and His process of beginning to understand the full weight of sacrifice—ultimately the sacrifice of His own life.
As you meditate upon these benchmarks, our hope if that as a community these become our benchmarks of sacrifice as we journey towards Good Friday and Easter. Each of these benchmarks is represented by its own Psalm of Ascent, written by those in the Imago Dei Community.
Also included with these readings, you’ll find questions to guide your own reflection.
This Lenten season, as we engage in our own new songs of ascent, may we travel together with Jesus, not simply towards the cross, but towards the new heaven and earth He beheld beyond it. Let us join in the wonder of our Lord’s life—His courage, His faith, His passion, His sacrifice, and His ascension. May the following meditations prove to be His own ministry among us, working to see His kingdom come and His will be done in new ways and at new depths. Amen.
Note: As a supplemental guide, there is a pastor devotional that will be posted online every Thursday. You can find this devotional using the link: www.imagodeicommunity.com/pastordevotional
Lent as a Family—Parents, we would encourage you to engage this Lenten season as a family, using it as an opportunity to talk with your children about what it means to actively pursue knowing Christ. We would also encourage you to take advantage of the family handouts, provided each Sunday in Imago Dei Kids, as our children are learning about the meaning of Lent in their classes