Today, we will begin going through the Passion Week accounts of the other gospels.
Read Matthew 26.
"'But after I have been resurrected, I will go ahead of you to Galilee'. Peter told Him, 'Even if everyone runs away because of You, I will never run away!'”
Just yesterday, we read about the account of Jesus going out to Galilee to meet Peter. Here we see that event predicted by Jesus before he was killed. Hardly a coincidence, I believe.
“My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” (26:39)
“My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.” (26:42)
"After leaving them, He went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more." (26:44)
In reading Jesus' prayers just before his torture began, we see clearly that his preference was not to go through with what lay ahead. He didn't have to go through with it. As he points out to Peter, he could be swiped up by legions of angels who could have kept him from any harm.
Yet, the beauty of Jesus' obedience to the Father is that he always has a choice and he always chooses to obey. There was something that lay on the other side of the cross that, to Jesus, was worth the suffering. He was willing to lay aside what he desired in the temporary for the sake of the eternal. In what way can you do the same today?
The Lent season is intended to be a time for us to identify with Christ by sacrificing comforts for the sake of His glory. How is God calling to you to obey right now?
Starter Prayer:
Jesus,
I confess that I often do things to serve myself.
I often love myself more than I love you.
Let it not be!
Your eyes looked beyond the cross to the greater reward ahead.
Give me the same vision.
I give my momentary desires to You.
Use my actions today for your glory eternal!
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Join fellow Christ-followers in prayer and fasting during Lent (February 13 through March 31, 2013). Use the "prayer starters" each day and feel free to click "comments" to see how others are doing and share your own journey.
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What is "Lent?"
"Lent" has been celebrated by Christians for many generations. It is a time set aside for preparing our hearts to celebrate the greatest event in history - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Traditionally Lent is the forty-day period preceding Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. Interestingly, this is actually 46 days because the western church doesn't count Sundays (as we are to celebrate the resurrection every Sunday).
How should I keep Lent?
We are asking the church family to spend time in prayer each day of Lent, thanking Christ for what He has done. In addition, many Christians practice some form of fasting during Lent.
What is "fasting?"
Fasting is a way to say "no" to self and to give renewed attention on Christ. If we simply do without food, we're only half-way there. We need to replace the time that we would have spent eating and instead spend that time in prayer.
Here are some ideas, but don't be limited to these:
Take 15 minutes out of each day reading the devotional on this blog and getting on your knees to pray to God.
Agree together in your Connection Group how you are going to celebrate Lent. Encourage each other to take a step of faith and talk each week about how it is going.
Take one meal a week and decide to deny yourself, spending the time, instead, reading the Word and praying. Maybe your Connection Group could divide up the lunches through the week - each taking a day. Or maybe you could each pick one day per week that you will all do it.
Fast from a specific food for the whole Lent season. Make it something that will trigger you to pray each time you reach for it. Don't "fast" from food to lose weight or from caffeine for your health. Those may be good ideas, but that is something you're doing for you, not with Christ in mind.
Fast from sunrise until sunset.
Fast from TV or something else that you'll give up and replace with seeking God.
Now get creative and talk with the other Christ-followers in your life for help, encouragement, and accountability ... and to share your joy!
Should I consider an extended fast?
For some, the season of Lent can be a time to surrender even more to God through an extended fast. This can be a 3, 7, 14, or 40 day experience (it is up to you and your readiness). If this is something that God is calling you toward, check out this site to learn more:
http://www.ccci.org/growth/growing-closer-to-god/how-to-fast/index.aspx
There are all types of extended fasts that you can get involved in. Make sure you choose the right one for you, considering your health, schedule, and support system.
Jesus,
ReplyDeleteThank You for dying for the men who could not stay up with You to pray with You and for You. Thank You for dying in fulfillment of God's perfect will. Thank You for being my life and my death that I meant live to God and die to sin.