Speaking Christian- Lent
Mark 1:12-13
“Jesus
was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.
As he was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the
Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are my
Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:1-11)
“Soon after this,
the Spirit sent him out into the desert and he was in the desert 40 days being
tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.”
(vs.12-13)
It is this time in
the wilderness when we as Christians take time to ‘journey’ to be in the
wilderness and reflect upon Jesus as the one who was sent to be tempted, as he
prepared for his ministry and his ultimate experience in Jerusalem which lead to death.
We call this 40 days before Easter,
Lent, a season when we ‘put aside the sins and failures of the past in the
light of who we are yet to become by the grace of God.’ We are to be tested by
the Spirit so that our participation in the meaning of the Easter faith will be
authentic and a dying and rising with Christ to new life in God. It is also a
time of penitence, looking at ourselves our sins and to seek forgiveness. This
season has also included a time of prayer, fasting and giving up something for
oneself or by including more reading and meditation on the Word of God.
It
is a time of intentional spiritual growth and yet there are few Christians who
observe it or observe it only by ‘giving up’ something. It is a holy season of
preparation and for many years Lent meant reflective worship. Today we remember
Jesus’ experience in the desert and yet we also remember him as he struggled by
being human and God’s Son. As we reflect on Christ’s journey to Jerusalem and
the cross during this time of preparation just what is it that calls you to
reflect, pray and observe this holy season of preparation for new beginnings?
PRAYER:
God we praise you
for Jesus’ time of preparation. Enable us to be open to your word as we seek to
grow spiritually in this season. Show us your way of love and understanding as
we share our thoughts and seek your forgiveness on this journey with Jesus.
Enable us O God to understand this as we are transformed in faith. Amen.
Jesus was sent by
the Spirit into the wilderness after he was baptized. Have you ever felt the
Spirit sending you to do something specific? What was it? How did you respond?
During Lent, what do you think the Spirit is sending you to do to prepare for
Holy Week and Easter? What does this mean for you as you grow in your understanding
of Jesus?
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