Introduction

Lent is a season uniquely Christian in its character. With the exception of the preemptive celebrations of Mardi Gras, there will be no fanfare, decorations or sales to follow the season. It is a quiet and reflective time for the followers of Jesus. This is a time for healing.

One of the beloved scriptures associated with the Lenten season inspired the title of this book. The Prophet Isaiah saw a sacred mystery, a divine paradox, an unlikely remedy that we contemplate throughout this journey, “by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5). The wounds of Jesus unleash incomprehensible power to heal all our maladies. His healing is holistic. We only barely scratch the surface of the implications of His healing work in us; but each week of our journey we see a different aspect of His healing power.

The following is provides a general outline of our journey.

• Week of Ash Wednesday
  By His Wounds We are Forgiven

• Week One
  By His Wounds Our Thirst is Quenched

• Week Two
  By His Wounds the Shepherd Leads Us

• Week Three
  By His Wounds We are Anointed with Healing Balm

• Week Four
  By His Wounds There is Healing for the Nations

• Week Five
  By His Wounds We Share the Marks of the Healer

• Holy Week
  By His Wounds We are Brought from Death to Life

For decades, St. John’s has led this devotional journey for a broad audience. It is our mission and labor of love to offer blessing and healing through these writings to all whom it may touch. Nearly 50 humble souls share their personal stories and meditations on the scriptures in the pages that follow. We are shaped by different experiences, careers and faith stories. We’re not professional writers, only fellow travelers who share the journey of healing we have found in the wounded healer—Jesus. Even the art work that you will occasionally see is from this community drawn from the hearts of young children in our Sunday School.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, will share the journey with you through this website and the print publication. When you open your Bible and this booklet, be encouraged that many others are joining you and praying for you. If you would like for us to pray for you personally or share some of your experiences with us, please write, call or contact us through our prayer page or the feedback links throughout these devotions.

Sometimes Lent is considered a sad season because we look so closely into the suffering and death of Jesus. The cost of healing is grievous; but it was love that led Jesus to take the wounds. Jesus didn’t delight in suffering. His delight was in us. It was His joy for us that moved Him to bear the cross. Healing, rather than grief, is the outcome when we focus on Jesus.

So let’s enter a season of healing and “fix our eyes on Jesus... who for the joy set before him endured the cross.” (Hebrews 12:2).

Let’s Meet Jesus
at the cross.

Experience the support of a church
by doing this with Christians near and far.

Live as disciples
who quietly deny ourselves and
take up the cross of healing
and soul refreshing relief.