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Lent Thoughts
Some notes from Sunday 3rd February 2008
By observing the forty days of Lent, we replicate Jesus’ sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for forty days
Why 40 days?
40 is a significant Biblical number:-
• In Genesis, the flood which destroyed the earth was brought about by 40 days and nights of rain.
• The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness before reaching the land promised to them by God.
• Moses fasted for 40 days before receiving the ten commandments on Mount Sinai.
• Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry.
Luke 3v21 One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
• As he was praying the heavens opened
If Jesus the son of God needed to pray how much more do we need to pray?
• You are My dearly loved Son
Jesus received affirmation from the Father – we need to be reminded regularly that we are God’s children affirmed and loved.
Luke 4v1 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.
• Full of the Holy Spirit
Jesus needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit, how much more do we?
• Led by the Spirit in the wilderness
We often expect the Spirit to lead us into the good times, however the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness and continued to lead him during his time in the wilderness. Do we believe that the Holy Spirit is with us all of the time, even the tough times?
The Wilderness
• A place of solitude
Can you imagine spending 40 days not seeing or speaking to anyone – I begin to struggle after 40 minutes…How can we create space for God in the busyness of North London?
• A place of sacrifice
Jesus fasted from food and by the end of the 40 days was hungry. How hungry for the presence of God are you, what sacrifices are you willing to make so as to hear his voice more clearly.
• A place of testing
The devil tested Jesus in the wilderness and encouraged to test God. Jesus replied to the devil by reaffirming his trust in God. Are you testing or trusting God at the moment?
Luke 4v14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
The wilderness experience preceded the beginning of Jesus powerful ministry, news of which spread quickly through the whole region.
During Lent
• Take time to reflect
o About your priorities in life
o About your relationship with God the father through His Son, by His Spirit.
• A time to fast
o Lent is about denying yourself some of the essentials of everyday life in order to focus on the reality that we depend upon God for life itself; about re-aligning ourselves with God and his purposes in our world; about reminding ourselves that all we have is a gift from God in any case.
• A time to pray
o A time to look outside of ourselves at the world around us, and pray for God’s loving intervention once again.
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Simon Kirby, 06/02/2008 |
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