Psalm 107:7:
And so Yahweh does the same for his Bride:
He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
In the pathless mazes of the desert, Yahweh makes a way for his people. This is what Jesus does for us during Lent: he provides a clear path to the city of God. We all need a new orientation in our journey to the city of God. The desert paths of Lent can be filled with frustrations, complaining, hunger and thirst. So, if we are going to face these next thirty-nine days, we need to know the ways of the Lord. In Psalm 107, God is moving his people from desert to city; from ruin to a new civilization. He is forming through his people a new polis; a new city that shines brighter than all other cities.
Lent is the journey through the desert to the new city; it is formation into the cruciform life; it’s improving in our image-bearing status or, as the Westminster Confession says, “improving our baptisms.” But this improvement comes through the crucified way. The journey to Calvary is long.
Let us not mistake, however, the way of the cross as a call to isolation. Rather, the cross restores us into unity with one another. In fact, the Lenten journey must bind us together. Sin isolates us. Sin calls us to take our own ways in the desert than following the cloud by day and pillar by night. Sin prefers to wander, then to confess. Sin desires darkness rather than light; blindness rather than sight. So, let us walk together side by side, prayer by prayer, confession by confession until we reach the great city where the resurrected Jesus awaits us.
