Lent 4 | Ephesians 2:1-10 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Because of Christ by Andrew Holt, Chris Clayton, and Mitch Wong

Lyrics:
On a hill in Israel
Mercy spoke for me
Mercy spoke for me
Mercy spoke for me
It was on Golgotha’s tree
His death brought liberty
His death brought liberty
His death brought liberty

May I never boast in anything
Except the cross of Jesus Christ
May I not forget the blood He shed
It is by His death I am alive
Because of Christ I am alive

What a humble sacrifice
Love that washed me clean
Love that washed me clean
Love that washed me clean
What a blessed mystery
His punishment my peace
His punishment my peace
His punishment my peace

Hallelujah hallelujah
Praise the One who set me free
Death has lost its grip on me
Hallelujah hallelujah
Jesus rose in victory
He’s alive alive in me

Passage:
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins
2 in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. 3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, 5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 6 He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift ​— ​9 not from works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. -- Ephesians 2:1-10 (CSB)

Musical Reflection:
Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K. 545: II. Andante by W. A. Mozart

Reflection Notes:
In true fashion for Mozart’s middle movements, this Andante blooms slowly with gentle and delicate notes; the melody ascends in joyful fashion at the most climactic points before settling back down with the satisfying left hand harmonies.

Prayer:
We give you thanks, yes, more than thanks, O Lord our God, for all your goodness at all times and in all places, because you have shielded, rescued, helped and led us all the days of our life, and brought us unto this hour. Amen
-The Liturgy of St. Mark