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The season of Lent, the forty days (minus Sundays) prior to Easter, began as a time for training and discipleship, especially as a time of preparing candidates for baptism at Easter. Lent also became a time of spiritual preparation and renewal for all the faithful as they gave special attention to the ministry and passion of Christ. The primary focus of the season is to explore and deepen a spirituality that centers on our union with Christ rather than to function only as an extended meditation on Christ’s suffering and death. The traditional color for the season is purple.

 

March 17: “Love and Betrayal”

The Word: Mark 14:1-11

Feel: Mark accentuates the contrasting beauty and ugliness in the people whose decisions and motivations made history.

Know: Mark has played out the prelude of Jesus’ Passion. Conspiracy and treachery will take Him to a criminal’s death, but not without the anointing of love which will assure His dignity and the fulfillment of His mission. None of this caught Jesus by surprise, for he knew what was about to happen.

Desired Outcome: Love is sometimes extravagant. When ordinary acts do not suffice to express one’s feelings, an extraordinary show of love is in order. People whom Christ redeems from gross sin are often the most extravagant Christians.

 

March 24: “The True King” (Palm Sunday)

The Word: Mark 11:1- 11; 14:43–52; 15:6–15

Feel: Deeply rooted in the Jewish consciousness of the Old Testament was the hope of the King who would enter Jerusalem as their coming Messiah while riding on a donkey.

Know: We remember this event every year on Palm Sunday—the waving of the palms and the people crying, “Hosanna,” which means, “Lord, save us now.” The kiss by Judas indicates the depth of his deceit. Crowds are unreliable decision-makers because they are so easily manipulated.

Desired Outcome: As Christians face an increasingly hostile secular society, we must represent the Prince of Peace in his truth and love. As we interact with unbelieving neighbors we must reach out to them with the same loving desire for their salvation that drove Jesus into Jerusalem to take up the cross. Invitation to a 30 Hr Fast for Good Friday, breaking it with Communion.

 

March 29: (Good Friday)

The Word: Mark 15:33-47

Feel: We needed someone who could pay our debt—the debt of death (see Rom. 6:23)—and cleanse us so we could be found blameless regarding the Lord’s perfect and holy standard.

Know: Jesus, the sacrificial servant, completes his mission of salvation for the world by enduring injustice, abuse, crucifixion, and death. Jesus endures crucifixion, so we would not have to face God’s punishment for our sin.

Desired Outcome: Death Is Final—But It Is Not the End. Put a nail in your pocket or place it in a prominent place. Let it be a reminder of the price Jesus paid to purchase our salvation. Then thank him for his great gift.

 

March 31: "I Am the Resurrection and the Life" Easter Sunday

The Word: Mark 16:1-8

Feel: The empty tomb is a historical fact upon which the message of Christianity rises or falls.

Know: The women were trembling and bewildered when the encountered the empty tomb, and we have a hard time believing it ourselves.

Desired Outcome: Whatever hurts you have experienced in the past, let Jesus wipe the blackboard clean and replace those images with himself. He will set you free-indeed. Lean into the Spirit of God and allow that power to guide you every step of every day. The Christian life is a breathtaking journey filled with adventure and excitement.

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