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Tag Archives: Lent
Through The Wilderness
As we are now officially in the “Lent Season” heading towards Easter, it’s time to reflect upon what is Lent? And how does it pertain to us? So what is Lent season? It’s 40 days before Easter, it’s a time to reflect and prepare for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Typically Lent is symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spent in the Wilderness. (Matthew 4)
Now while Jesus was in the wilderness, he not only fasted but he was tempted by Satan to fall into Sin. Notice how Jesus responded to each temptation, he said “It Is Written” meaning God had already declared and promised Satan’s defeat. Through Christ we already have victory over sin and death. Also notice the power of the Word of God, as Jesus used it each time to fight off Satan
Think about the Israelites, when Moses led them from the slavery of Egypt, they wandered through the wilderness for 40 years, (Exodus 14) Again we see that symbolic number of 40, which in the Bible means a “period of testing” Just as Moses delivered the Israelites from the slavery of Egypt, Jesus delivered us from the slavery of Sin and Death (Romans 6:20)
Maybe you’re “Going Through The Wilderness” today? We live in difficult times and many people are struggling mentally and physically. Just remember this, after the Wilderness comes the Cross and then the Empty Tomb. Meaning Jesus has already given us victory because of what he has accomplished, as Jesus declared on the cross “It Is Finished” (John 19:30) You have victory because of Jesus Christ!
So as you’re going through this Lent season, maybe you’re in the Wilderness, remember God is with you and the victory is already yours in Jesus Name Amen!
John 19- The Authority of Christ
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. John 19:7-9
The religious leaders were looking for Pilate to do their dirty work for them. They kept shouting “Crucify Him” to Pilate, and he asked them “What did this man do” ? The Pharisees were so depraved they wanted to kill Jesus because he is the Son of God!
Notice Pilate himself was afraid of what they were about to do, he was a wicked man and yet still had some fear of God. The Pharisees had no fear of God, they puffed themselves up so much they believed they were gods.
Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. John 19:10-12
Pilate tried to threaten Jesus “Do you know who I am”, ?“Do you know the power I possess”? This might sound like us these days, people believe they have so much power and importance, we are just a vapor in the wind, a speck of dust
Jesus replied “You have no authority over me except it was given by God” We need to understand and realize , Jesus willingly gave up his life to pay the ransom for our sins. Once you understand this, you understand the amazing love Christ has demonstrated on the cross! Pilate was starting to realize this and wanted to release Jesus, but he gave in to his fear of losing favor with people. Someday you have to make a choice please God or please Man!
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. John 19:13-15
Pilate did not realize he was actually fulfilling prophecy by having Jesus executed and also proclaiming Jesus as King. Even though Pilate meant this with sarcasm , he rightfully professed Jesus as The King and also nailed the title to the cross Everyone in the crowd at this time was yelling “ Crucify Him”! Before we became saved , we were in this crowd also, yet Jesus still loved us anyway! Amazing Love!
It’s no surprise why Israel came under the judgement of God in 70 A.D. having the Messiah crucified. Yet remember this, all power and authority belongs to Jesus, and he laid down his life willingly to save yours! Amen!
John 12- The King Is Coming
On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. John 12:12-13
This event that we are looking at today , is commonly known as “Palm Sunday” as tradition in the Church. This is the day when Jesus will fulfill prophecy and declare that He is the King of Kings, that He is the Messiah.
This obviously came at a very pivotal time in Israels history, as they were under persecution from the Roman Empire. Many Jews had hopes that Jesus was a great military leader that would wipe out the Romans and restore the nation of Israel. However they didn’t understand the Messiah, and they didn’t understand that Jesus was bringing a New Covenant, to allow Jews and Gentiles into Gods Kingdom as His Children, even Romans
And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. John 12:14-16
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah, as the Messiah would come to Jerusalem riding on a donkey, but why a donkey? If Jesus was King, wouldn’t He be riding on a big white horse? Jesus came as the Lamb, to save the world from its sin. The donkey is symbolic of peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) Jesus didn’t come at this time to judge the world, but to save it!
The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. John 12:17-19
People remembered the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Remember Jesus said He allowed Lazarus to die to bring Glory to God. What was first seen as a tragedy, was now used for Gods Glory to affirm who Jesus is, The King and Messiah!
Palm Sunday also gives us a glimpse of the future, as one day Jesus will return again, but this time not as the Lamb but as the Lion! Are you ready?
The King is Coming again, everyone repent and be prepared , keep your lamps lits for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords , Amen!
Is Ash Wednesday Biblical?
“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. Matthew 6:16
Is Ash Wednesday Biblical? Many Christians around the world and from many denominations will practice the ritual of “Ash Wednesday”, where they will put ashes on their forehead, but is this really Biblical?
Jesus taught us when we fast, not to let anyone know about it. Don’t neglect your appearance or put on a gloomy face so people will recognize you. Christianity always comes down to the heart, are you doing this to please God or to please man?
“But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face Matthew 6:17
Jesus goes on to teach us to wash your face and anoint your head with oil not ashes.. Most importantly “Ash Wednesday” or even “Lent” is nowhere mentioned in The Bible and are man-made traditions. Should Christians follow these practices? We must remember the root of Jesus teachings. Praying and Fasting are not to be public spectacles to prove our righteousness. They should be done in private with your personal relationship with God
so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:18
God knows everything we do, in public or secret. If your participating in customs like “Ash Wednesday” make sure it’s not to be noticed or prove your holiness. So is “Ash Wednesday” Biblical? No. Although I respect everyone’s proclamation to display their faith in Christ, I think we need to be careful not to be hypocrites and doing it for the wrong reasons. Ultimately its everyone personal decision between them and God to make.
Lent Bible Study (40 days in the wilderness)
40 days in the Wilderness
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. Matthew 4:1-2
For forty days Jesus wandered the wilderness, he faced many challenges hunger, tiredness, but his biggest challenge was Satan. Thru this journey we learned a lot.
We learned how Jesus persevered even though he was physically and mentally exhausted, he didn’t let his guard down. He pressed on. We also learned about Satan, how thru his deceit and manipulation tries to twist the Word of God to trick people into following him.
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:3-4)
Notice Satan is called the tempter here, this is how Satan tries to get all of us thru temptation. He knew Jesus was hungry so he wanted to attack his weakness.
Jesus could have turned the stones into bread to prove he’s the Son of God. But would have that accomplished the will of God or fall into Satan’s egotistical trap? Jesus also pointed out food might get the physical body life but the Word of God gives our souls spiritual life.
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Matthew 4:5-7
Again Satan challenges Jesus and tempting him into proving himself. Notice also Satan uses the Word of God to challenge Jesus. (Psalm 91:11 “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”) But Jesus corrects him the correct scripture, Deuteronomy 6:16” Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God” Beware of other false prophets and religions that twist scriptures like Satan to follow them
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.” Matthew 4:8-10
Satan promises the kingdom of the world to tempt Jesus to worship him, it shows you were Satans kingdom is located, right here on Earth. And notice Jesus commands Satan to go away and he leaves. We can also follow this principle (James 4:7)” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” When Satan is after you resist him and tell him to leave.
“Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” Matthew 4:11
After this long ordeal Jesus is mentally and physically exhausted. Notice the angels come to be with him, during hard times we should comfort and minister to one another also (Proverbs 27:17)” Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
So as you worship this “Ash Wednesday” remember Jesus 40 days in the wilderness and the lessons and perseverance he showed us all in Jesus Name Amen
Unashamed of Jesus 