Lent - Day 2
The Baptism and Testing of Jesus
"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Just as Jesus 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.”
At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
Jesus Announces the Good News
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:9-15
Every year, at least for 40 days, many Christians reflect upon the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
This season is called Lent and culminates on Resurrection Sunday (Easter). It is interesting to note that Resurrection Sunday is not a specific day but changes year to year. So the start of Lent, which falls on a Wednesday (known as Ash Wednesday) is not a fixed date as well as it is calculated as to when Easter Sunday is set that year.
40 Days
The 40 days of Lent may have been patterned after the passage (from the Book of Mark) we have read above; when Jesus was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness. This marked a season of prayer, fasting and abstinence.
It was preceded with the baptism of Jesus and is followed by the start of Jesus' earthly ministry -- where technically Jesus went out and started preaching: “The time is fulfilled (has come), and the kingdom of God is at hand (drawn near); repent (turn away from sin) and believe in the gospel (good news of salvation).”
Gospel
The Book of Mark, is a short and fast paced narrative of Jesus Christ. It is only 16 chapters long and is easy enough for everyone to read during the next 40 days.
If you have no idea who Jesus of Nazareth was, or what is Lent, or curious or confused on what Christianity is all about; or if you just want to know more, or want to understand what all these means, then you can start to read the Book of Mark and take this 40 day Lenten journey as we do a study about Jesus of Nazareth.
It might be essential that like Jesus did in the 40 days He was in the wilderness that we also pray and do fasting and abstinence.
Reading the Bible
We can do this by setting down a specific time to read the bible (like the Book of Mark which is one of the 66 books that make up the bible).
And that we prepare ourselves by looking inward at the person that we are and to make an honest evaluation of ourselves. This is hard I know, as some of us are just too hard on ourselves and the rest just give themselves an easy pass or an excuse for everything they do.
We have discussed on a previous message that reading the bible is like looking at ourselves in a mirror. Or at least, when we read it that we allow it to.
The first step of course is to read it (or listen to it, as there are so many audio bibles available).
I know this might not be easy. But we could set aside a quiet time alone (best in the early morning before starting your day, if not then during breaks or free times during the course of the day, or before you retire for the night, or all of the above).
Praying
When you are ready, you could prepare yourself by praying. Meaning you could start to just be open and speak freely with Our Father in heaven, the Creator of the universe. It is totally alright if you don't believe in One, also if you have lost faith along the way.
What is important is to say what is in your mind. If you don't believe, then say it out loud. So many unbelievers started with saying, "I do not know if you are real or not, but if you are, please reveal yourself to me."
Be honest. Then start to read the bible with an open mind and more importantly with an open heart.
Fasting
Nowadays fasting has become a trend. Unknown to most people, so many trends have their origins in the bible. Today, doctors, scientists, health practitioners and experts are talking about the benefits of fasting. Okay if it is good for the body, it is also good for the soul. Going without food is also beneficial as you read the bible, for you are feeding your spirit while starving the flesh.
Abstinence
Of course, not everyone can fast. And not everyone can fast the same way. Fasting can be different for each person. As you pray or speak to your Heavenly Father then you can ask what kind of fast is best for you. Of course you can also ask your doctor, or Google, Siri, Bixby or Alexa.
Abstaining from something is also a form of fasting. If you are to quit doing something that normally makes up a big chunk of your time then this will go a long way into you focusing more on your quiet times with God.
We will continue this series on Lent next time and I pray you would join me in this journey. Shalom.
Lenten Series
"At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Just as Jesus 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.”
At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
Jesus Announces the Good News
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:9-15
Every year, at least for 40 days, many Christians reflect upon the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
This season is called Lent and culminates on Resurrection Sunday (Easter). It is interesting to note that Resurrection Sunday is not a specific day but changes year to year. So the start of Lent, which falls on a Wednesday (known as Ash Wednesday) is not a fixed date as well as it is calculated as to when Easter Sunday is set that year.
40 Days
The 40 days of Lent may have been patterned after the passage (from the Book of Mark) we have read above; when Jesus was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness. This marked a season of prayer, fasting and abstinence.
It was preceded with the baptism of Jesus and is followed by the start of Jesus' earthly ministry -- where technically Jesus went out and started preaching: “The time is fulfilled (has come), and the kingdom of God is at hand (drawn near); repent (turn away from sin) and believe in the gospel (good news of salvation).”
Gospel
The Book of Mark, is a short and fast paced narrative of Jesus Christ. It is only 16 chapters long and is easy enough for everyone to read during the next 40 days.
If you have no idea who Jesus of Nazareth was, or what is Lent, or curious or confused on what Christianity is all about; or if you just want to know more, or want to understand what all these means, then you can start to read the Book of Mark and take this 40 day Lenten journey as we do a study about Jesus of Nazareth.
It might be essential that like Jesus did in the 40 days He was in the wilderness that we also pray and do fasting and abstinence.
Reading the Bible
We can do this by setting down a specific time to read the bible (like the Book of Mark which is one of the 66 books that make up the bible).
And that we prepare ourselves by looking inward at the person that we are and to make an honest evaluation of ourselves. This is hard I know, as some of us are just too hard on ourselves and the rest just give themselves an easy pass or an excuse for everything they do.
We have discussed on a previous message that reading the bible is like looking at ourselves in a mirror. Or at least, when we read it that we allow it to.
The first step of course is to read it (or listen to it, as there are so many audio bibles available).
I know this might not be easy. But we could set aside a quiet time alone (best in the early morning before starting your day, if not then during breaks or free times during the course of the day, or before you retire for the night, or all of the above).
Praying
When you are ready, you could prepare yourself by praying. Meaning you could start to just be open and speak freely with Our Father in heaven, the Creator of the universe. It is totally alright if you don't believe in One, also if you have lost faith along the way.
What is important is to say what is in your mind. If you don't believe, then say it out loud. So many unbelievers started with saying, "I do not know if you are real or not, but if you are, please reveal yourself to me."
Be honest. Then start to read the bible with an open mind and more importantly with an open heart.
Fasting
Nowadays fasting has become a trend. Unknown to most people, so many trends have their origins in the bible. Today, doctors, scientists, health practitioners and experts are talking about the benefits of fasting. Okay if it is good for the body, it is also good for the soul. Going without food is also beneficial as you read the bible, for you are feeding your spirit while starving the flesh.
Abstinence
Of course, not everyone can fast. And not everyone can fast the same way. Fasting can be different for each person. As you pray or speak to your Heavenly Father then you can ask what kind of fast is best for you. Of course you can also ask your doctor, or Google, Siri, Bixby or Alexa.
Abstaining from something is also a form of fasting. If you are to quit doing something that normally makes up a big chunk of your time then this will go a long way into you focusing more on your quiet times with God.
We will continue this series on Lent next time and I pray you would join me in this journey. Shalom.
Lenten Series
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