Lent (from the Latin word Quadragesima, which in English means Fortieth) is a period of 40 weekdays (excluding Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to the day after Good Friday. This is a special time to remember the events in Jesus Christ’s life–leading up to and including his death on the cross. Easter is the day we rejoice and celebrate Jesus’ final act of conquering death and the devil for us–his glorious resurrection! Having risen from that grave outside of Jerusalem, Jesus now lives forever to grant us salvation and eternal life with him!
Why did Jesus have to die?
Isaiah 53:12b …he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Big words, but what do they mean?
To transgress is to sin: commit a sin; violate a law of God. Romans 3:23b says, …all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Intercession means to come between two parties to plead before one of them on behalf of the other. Romans 3:24 continues: …and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
What did Jesus say about it?
During his teaching years before his death, Jesus said: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” ~ John 3:16-17
After Jesus conquered death and was alive again, he said to his disciples: “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” ~ Luke 24:44. (Click on Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 below to read two Old Testament prophecies about Jesus.)
A time to focus on what really matters
We are sinful beings who need to be reminded that God loves us and wants us to spend eternity with him. The period of Lent pulls our minds away from our daily busyness and back to the most important thing–Jesus died for us, and he now lives forever in eternity! He has a prepared a place for us to be there with him!
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” ~ John 14:1-4
Please join us at Living Hope this Lent as we delve deeper into the awesome story of God’s great mission to rescue the children he created and loves.
Lenten & Easter Services at Living Hope
Read in the Bible about Christ’s sacrifice for you!
Living Hope Church 