Lenten Thoughts Who is this Jesus?

Yesterday was the start of Lent. It is called Ash Wednesday. Ashes are a sign of repentance and “lent” means springtime. I need to take time for Lenten Thoughts.

I believe lent is a time for thinking.

My minister sent his Lenten thoughts in his yearly Lenten Letter and it is exactly how I have been thinking. I am sure you will enjoy it.

Harry Morgan – Haliburton Pastoral Charge – Lenten Letter 2016

For Lent you might feel called to to set something aside that might be overpowering your focus on God or you might want to give up something as a reminder to you of the suffering of Jesus.

You could look at something that you know is hard to give up; or some attitude or habit you feel needs changing; or something you want to add to your life to make it fuller and more alive.

Some people say that we shouldn’t tell what we are “giving up” or “taking on” as a remembrance during Lent. However if we are not doing the telling as a sign of outward holiness then speaking about what we are doing may be a good talking point with others.

Here are a few ideas of what to add to your life:

For Bible study:

Add memorizing Scripture
Choose to get up earlier to meet with God
Study a verse a day

For your health:

Plan to do 15 more minutes a day walking.
Cut back on sugar.
Stretch before any active sport.

Each week of Lent I will be studying the following Scriptures in Word of God Speak. If you want to study with me please do. I have made a PDF with these scriptures so you can print them off. I found my ideas for this study from a post in Gospel Coalition. They also give a Free 40 day study called Journey to the Cross. I hope to have time to do some of it as well.

Scriptures to Study for Lent – 2016 PDF

Mark 9:14-29
Mark 10:32-34
Mark 11:27-33
Mark 12:41-44
Mark 14:1-9
Mark 14:66-72

Today I will look at Mark 8:27-30 to get us started on our thinking:

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

My Lenten Thoughts – Who Do You Say I am?

That was the question which I struggled with. “Who are you, Jesus?”

Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do others say I am?”

That was my problem. I listened to others.

When I entered university my faith was semi-solid. I had been confirmed in our church. I had said the words, “I believe in Jesus, the risen Lord.”

My head knowledge felt secure. My heart knowledge was empty. (tweet this)

University courses, particularly anthropology, made me start questioning creation (now Creations Ministries International helps me sort out my thoughts and questions).

I wrote about the Creation Story back in 2012. (which WordPress decided to publish Tuesday and I thought I was just updating) This helped me believe.

Lenten Thoughts - believe - Bumblebee — Bumblebee by Janis Cox

The people around me did activities that did not conform to my upbringing or faith. I did my studies, forgot church and grew empty. Relationships formed my life. My family held me strong in their love. But I developed a crusty character as I tried to be in control all the time.

Fast forward to 2000 – God drew me to a church where Christ and the Bible were preached every Sunday. God led me to Christian sisters who had a heart for God and desired to learn more (as I did). I joined them.

But still I asked, “Who are you, Jesus?”

Finally after studying both God’s Word and good scripture based, faith-filled books, I knew I wanted to know this Jesus. My friend suggested, “Ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you.”