Thursday, March 22, 2012

Lent

I know I am pretty late on this one, but I figured it could still do some good.

Lent

Why do we have lent? Here is a question that I think we should ask ourselves every year. I can't really judge, being this is the first time I have honored it, but I feel like the deeper meaning is so often missed.

"I do it because it is honorable to God." I think our viewing scale needs to be adjusted if that is all there was to it. I like to see it as a wonderful opportunity to see Jesus in a new light. It is one of the few times we have the opportunity to see Jesus not as the son of God, but see him as Jesus the man.


Jesus is Two-Faced?

No, I am not saying Jesus is an evil-doer that likes to fight Batman. Nor am I comparing him to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Batman version of Jesus


 I am just saying Jesus is very much God. However, he is also very much a man. During lent, we are called to remember the sacrifice he made for us upon the cross.

 I can tell you right now, Lent doesn't work unless you feel tempted. And isn't the temptation to cling onto life what Jesus had to go through?

The night Judas betrayed Him with a kiss we see a different kind of Jesus. Not a righteous man that could walk on water and heal the lame; but a weak and broken man.

"And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and he knelt down and prayed, Saying 'Father, if it is Your will take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.' Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." -Luke 22:41



Despite agony, despite temptation, despite Satan's whisper, he still chose us. He chose us over his life.

 Jesus is More Like Us Than We Thought


Lent is very much a recollection of or our sins. It is also very much the opportunity to relate to Jesus at a time he was at his most human. This is the point where we can say "hey, I've done that." Jesus didn't just die as God. He died as a man. He overcame temptation as a man.

And just as Jesus chose us over his life, lent gives us the opportunity to choose Him over temptation. We don't just honor Him, we get to live Him and understand Him! Lent is more than just honoring God. Lent is a relationship grower between you and Christ!





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