Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:36-45
Key Verse: Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Matthew 26:41).
Meditation: Jesus prayed alone in the Garden of Gethsemane even though He had taken three disciples with Him. They went to sleep.The word * Lent comes from the word spring, suggesting this six-week period came during the spring of the year. It also suggests to us that we get our spiritual spring-cleaning done; there may be neglected corners. The Lenten period provides a time for serious reflection on the life and ministry of Jesus during His last weeks on earth.
Jesus admonished the three disciples to "Watch and pray, for the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." We need to discipline ourselves to be alert to do both the physical and spiritual disciplines that keep us healthy. The three disciples were, no doubt, exhausted emotionally and physically from the events surrounding their going to Jerusalem. But they did not listen to Jesus when He asked them to with Him and to keep watch with Him. They did not discipline their bodies to stay awake so that they could pray for Him during His severe testing.
Paul speaks of disciplines needed for the body: But I discipline body and bring it into subjection... (I Corinthians 9:27a). We need to discipline the body so it will respond more readily to the demands our spiritual lives and protect us from temptation. We need also to discipline our spirits and minds towards growth. Let us determine to walk with Jesus during the following days of study of His last days on earth with mind and spirit open to experience what He felt as we learn what He taught.
Thought for the Day: Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (11 Peter 3:18).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lent is a controversial time on the Christian calendar. Jesus did not observe it nor did he instruct his disciples to do so. It is a creation by the Roman Catholic church. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “the real aim of Lent is, above all else, to prepare men for the celebration of the death and Resurrection of Christ…the better the preparation the more effective the celebration will be. One can effectively relive the mystery only with purified mind and heart. The purpose of Lent is to provide that purification by weaning men from sin and selfishness through self-denial and prayer, by creating in them the desire to do God’s will and to make His kingdom come by making it come first of all in their hearts.” I have come to believe that Ramadan and Lent have a similar history. It is to borrow from the experience of Jesus -the 40 days in the wilderness. But actually it is in fact a part of the ancient Babylonian mystery religion. “The forty days’ abstinence of Lent (Ramadan) was directly borrowed from the worshipers of the Babylonian goddess…Among the Pagans this Lent seems to have been an indispensable preliminary to the great annual festival in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Tammuz” (The Two Babylons).
Tammuz was the false Messiah of the Babylonians—a satanic counterfeit of Jesus Christ! The Feast of Tammuz was usually celebrated in June. Lent was held 40 days before the feast, “celebrated by alternate weeping and rejoicing.” This is why Lent means “spring”.
ButThe Bible says that we are purified—cleansed, set apart and made pure in God’s sight—by the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:11-14, 22; 13:12). End of story.
No amount of fasting, abstaining from physical pleasures or any other form of self-denial can purify us. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Hello readers: I have had a hard time with this idea of Lent, Ash Wednesday and even mardi gras. Now it makes sense. The Bible seemed to be full of contradictions until this year. I am learning to accept the fact that I am not responsible for my own salvation-that is God's job. Many of the contradictions come from the traditions of man and not from within the Bible itself.
My goal with this devotional guide is to take the confusion away from Christianity. That is my own goal for this year of my life. So my additions to this devotional guide will start to incorporate a large picture.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I grew up in the Salvation Army. They had an unique spin on Lent. This time of fasting within the Christian Calendar was turned into a time of giving and extended to a full two months. People were encouraged to give up a "luxury" and the the money that would have gone into the "luxury" would go to missions and would help people in other countries.
36
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said
to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37
He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated.
38
Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me."
39
And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and
prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet
not what I want but what you want."
40
Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?
41
Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
42
Again he went away for the second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done."
43
Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
44
So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words.
45
Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still
sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of
Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Key Verse: Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Matthew 26:41).
Meditation: Jesus prayed alone in the Garden of Gethsemane even though He had taken three disciples with Him. They went to sleep.The word * Lent comes from the word spring, suggesting this six-week period came during the spring of the year. It also suggests to us that we get our spiritual spring-cleaning done; there may be neglected corners. The Lenten period provides a time for serious reflection on the life and ministry of Jesus during His last weeks on earth.
Jesus admonished the three disciples to "Watch and pray, for the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." We need to discipline ourselves to be alert to do both the physical and spiritual disciplines that keep us healthy. The three disciples were, no doubt, exhausted emotionally and physically from the events surrounding their going to Jerusalem. But they did not listen to Jesus when He asked them to with Him and to keep watch with Him. They did not discipline their bodies to stay awake so that they could pray for Him during His severe testing.
Paul speaks of disciplines needed for the body: But I discipline body and bring it into subjection... (I Corinthians 9:27a). We need to discipline the body so it will respond more readily to the demands our spiritual lives and protect us from temptation. We need also to discipline our spirits and minds towards growth. Let us determine to walk with Jesus during the following days of study of His last days on earth with mind and spirit open to experience what He felt as we learn what He taught.
Thought for the Day: Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (11 Peter 3:18).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lent is a controversial time on the Christian calendar. Jesus did not observe it nor did he instruct his disciples to do so. It is a creation by the Roman Catholic church. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “the real aim of Lent is, above all else, to prepare men for the celebration of the death and Resurrection of Christ…the better the preparation the more effective the celebration will be. One can effectively relive the mystery only with purified mind and heart. The purpose of Lent is to provide that purification by weaning men from sin and selfishness through self-denial and prayer, by creating in them the desire to do God’s will and to make His kingdom come by making it come first of all in their hearts.” I have come to believe that Ramadan and Lent have a similar history. It is to borrow from the experience of Jesus -the 40 days in the wilderness. But actually it is in fact a part of the ancient Babylonian mystery religion. “The forty days’ abstinence of Lent (Ramadan) was directly borrowed from the worshipers of the Babylonian goddess…Among the Pagans this Lent seems to have been an indispensable preliminary to the great annual festival in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Tammuz” (The Two Babylons).
Tammuz was the false Messiah of the Babylonians—a satanic counterfeit of Jesus Christ! The Feast of Tammuz was usually celebrated in June. Lent was held 40 days before the feast, “celebrated by alternate weeping and rejoicing.” This is why Lent means “spring”.
ButThe Bible says that we are purified—cleansed, set apart and made pure in God’s sight—by the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:11-14, 22; 13:12). End of story.
No amount of fasting, abstaining from physical pleasures or any other form of self-denial can purify us. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Hello readers: I have had a hard time with this idea of Lent, Ash Wednesday and even mardi gras. Now it makes sense. The Bible seemed to be full of contradictions until this year. I am learning to accept the fact that I am not responsible for my own salvation-that is God's job. Many of the contradictions come from the traditions of man and not from within the Bible itself.
My goal with this devotional guide is to take the confusion away from Christianity. That is my own goal for this year of my life. So my additions to this devotional guide will start to incorporate a large picture.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I grew up in the Salvation Army. They had an unique spin on Lent. This time of fasting within the Christian Calendar was turned into a time of giving and extended to a full two months. People were encouraged to give up a "luxury" and the the money that would have gone into the "luxury" would go to missions and would help people in other countries.
No comments:
Post a Comment