An Ash Wednesday Look at Jesus-Feb 17
The Lenten season is a wonderful time to intentionally "grow closer to and more like Jesus," especially as we listen/read through the Gospels (first four "books" of the New Testament). I desperately long for this to result in a deeper relationship with Jesus for you and for me. Here is today's Scripture Reading: Matt. 1-3 (ESV)
Ash Wednesday is by definition a time to humble (even with ashes) ourselves before the living God, kind of like John the Baptist who said in our reading that he isn't even worthy to untie Jesus' sandals. As I sought that humble and teachable posture, I was struck by how much we learn about Jesus in this Bible reading:
- He is qualified to be Messiah by his lineage (Mt.1:1-17), thereby He is Son of Man.
- But He is uniquely the Son of God (3:17), also as evident from the virgin birth (1:18-25)
- He fulfills all righteousness, that is, perfectly keeps God's laws for our benefit (3:15)
But what struck me most was John the Baptist's observation that the kingdom or rule of heaven is at hand in the person of Jesus (3:1). God's reign in our hearts and lives does not happen apart from Jesus. So, as we grow closer to Jesus, the power and influence of God in our daily lives is more evident.
Oh, God take us there!