Thursday, March 10, 2011
The season of Lent began Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) and will culminate on the Saturday before Easter (Holy Saturday). I did not observe Lent growing up. But I have grown to appreciate the discipline and the focus of the Lenten Season. There is always something to be said about preparing our hearts for a big event. Easter is a big event. It's a super Sunday for the Church and our hearts should be ready. A quick check of Wikipedia on Lent will give you some helpful background.
The forty days of Lent come from the forty days when Jesus was in the wilderness. Luke records the story, "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry" (Luke 4:1-2). In verse 14 we read, "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside."
There are 3 things that happened to Jesus during this forty days that are noteworthy.
1) He was full of the Holy Spirit.
2) He was led by the Spirit.
3) He was empowered by the Spirit.
I should also point out that he was tempted by the devil during this time. I want the Spirit's fullness, leading and power, but I can do without the temptations. Did you notice that it was the Holy Spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness? If we want what God wants, then we must follow where God leads - even into the wilderness. God knows what He's doing and He can be trusted.
I find it interesting to compare verse 1 with verse 14. Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit as he was led into the wilderness and returned in the power of the Holy Spirit. Something good happened during those forty days. He was led that he might be tested. He was tested that he might be prepared. He was prepared that he might be empowered.
Forty days can make a huge difference in our lives. Will you join me as we prepare our hearts for Easter? We can pray that God will fill us, lead us and empower us by His Holy Spirit. We can give up something we like so that God can fill us with what He likes. Even if we are led into the wilderness, we can trust God to give us victory.
Just remember these truths about the wilderness experience: 1) You are not there by accident. 2) You are not there alone. 3) You won't be there forever.
When we come out of the wilderness, we'll be stronger than we were before.
Lord, prepare our hearts for the biggest event of the year - Easter!
Pastor Tim
The forty days of Lent come from the forty days when Jesus was in the wilderness. Luke records the story, "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry" (Luke 4:1-2). In verse 14 we read, "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside."
There are 3 things that happened to Jesus during this forty days that are noteworthy.
1) He was full of the Holy Spirit.
2) He was led by the Spirit.
3) He was empowered by the Spirit.
I should also point out that he was tempted by the devil during this time. I want the Spirit's fullness, leading and power, but I can do without the temptations. Did you notice that it was the Holy Spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness? If we want what God wants, then we must follow where God leads - even into the wilderness. God knows what He's doing and He can be trusted.
I find it interesting to compare verse 1 with verse 14. Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit as he was led into the wilderness and returned in the power of the Holy Spirit. Something good happened during those forty days. He was led that he might be tested. He was tested that he might be prepared. He was prepared that he might be empowered.
Forty days can make a huge difference in our lives. Will you join me as we prepare our hearts for Easter? We can pray that God will fill us, lead us and empower us by His Holy Spirit. We can give up something we like so that God can fill us with what He likes. Even if we are led into the wilderness, we can trust God to give us victory.
Just remember these truths about the wilderness experience: 1) You are not there by accident. 2) You are not there alone. 3) You won't be there forever.
When we come out of the wilderness, we'll be stronger than we were before.
Lord, prepare our hearts for the biggest event of the year - Easter!
Pastor Tim
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