Lent

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday (2/6/08) and ends at Easter. Ash Wednesday is typically celebrated by Catholics. They apply an ashen cross on their foreheads. The ash is to remind them that they come from dust and that some day they will return to dust.

Lent is about remembering that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. A lot of Christians let Easter "creep up" on them. They don't even realize it is coming and then all of a sudden it is Palm Sunday and Easter is next week. We should take time to really consider exactly what Jesus did for us.

Jesus took our place on the cross to appease God's righteous anger. He went alone. He was separated from God and deserted by his friends. Think backwards for a minute. Before the resurrection was the crucifixion. Prior to the crucifixion was the prosecution. Before the prosecution was the betrayal.

Put yourself in the position of the disciples. We would probably have fallen asleep as Jesus prayed for deliverance in the garden. We would probably have denied knowing him as he accepted his death sentence.

As you spend time in prayer between now and Easter, remember that Jesus' death and resurrection occurred "once, for all time". There is nothing you can do to earn it. It is a free gift from God. Just accept the gift and start your journey to an eternity with God in heaven.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. "