40 Days

 ^{Mark 1: 12-15}

^Preparation

¹² At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, ¹³ and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Jesus Announces the Good News

¹⁴ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

In these early days of our 40 day Lent, we find that Jesus began his mission with 40 days of fasting and prayer.  We're in good company.  During that time, Jesus experienced hunger, thirst, dryness in his throat , heat, fatigue and temptation:  three of them. His desert time was HARD, demanding and strengthening.  While we may not have as markedly a desert experience such as Jesus had, if we are taking Lent seriously, there will be a "pinch" of varying degrees here and there, as there should be.  We do this only once a year, so it should be substantial and worthwhile. At the end of our 40 days, we will also follow the pattern on Jesus, having risen with him, we will be commissioned to preach the same theme:  "Repent and believe the good news."   May we make the best of this Lenten Season to allow God to purify us. strengthen us,, and prepare us for the work that lies ahead.

Be strong.  Jesus is with us.

Bro. Rene