Walking to Jerusalem

The season of Lent means different things to different people. I first heard of Lent in high school when my Catholic friends would discuss what they were giving up for Lent. Meat, cursing, chocolate, television watching. Perhaps these days it might include cell phones or video games. For me the biggest thing to give up would have to be ice cream. Lent can be a time of using self-discipline by giving up something important to us. But I never really understood the reason behind giving up something you can hardly live without. 

Lent is the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, replicating the 40 days that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness before He began his work of teaching. Lent is a time to understand that our humanness is sinful. It is a time to seek our hearts for evil and reflect on the gift of grace we receive through God. Lent is an opportunity to repent from our sins. To pray more, worship God more, fast and to solemnly prepare our hearts and minds by remembering the life and death of our Savior Jesus Christ.

I like to think of using these 40 days to walk along side Jesus, listening to His teachings through the scriptures, and purifying my sinful life. I'm still amazed that Jesus, knowing full well what lay ahead for Him, continued walking toward Jerusalem and His physical and spiritual torture. If only I could be a little bit like Him. To reflect His glorious, sinless, life of devotion. 

"Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I have made you, you are my servant' O Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you," (Isaiah 44:21-22 NIV).

I love the translation in The Message: "I have blotted out your sins and dissolved them like the mist."

Heavenly Father, I humbly come before You, baring my sinful self, ready to accept the wonderful blessing of Your grace. Make me strong enough to walk beside Jesus during this season of suffering and help me to be the person You want me to be. I kneel before Your Holiness, in solemn worship and pray. Amen.