As I thought of articles, titles and my approach in writing them, my mind started to venture off into the Lenten season and what it truly meant, seeing that at the time of these thoughtsLent was fast approaching. In this article, I share from my interesting viewpoint, the beauty I found as I thought about the sacrifice.
A snippet of the history
By now we should all have some sort of knowledge on the Lenten season and easter. However, let me make no assumption. Though I am no bible scholar, here is a little information. This is a period where Christians observe the time in which Jesus went into fasting and prayer, abstaining from food for 40 days and nights in the wilderness before the start of his public ministry. During this time, he was tempted by the devil, to which he did not give in.
The full details
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (Matthew chapter 4, verses 1 - 11)
During the 40 days of this season, Easter is observed.
The crucifixion
The full story of Jesus’ crucifixion can be found in detail in Mark 15, however here's a summary according to the bible
“It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews.They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. "And he was numbered with the transgressors." Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,come down from the cross and save yourself!”
In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him’”.(Mark chapter 15, verses 25-32)
The beauty for ashes traded for mankind
Upon reflection, the season of Lent is one in which the Christian community reflects on the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross that neither of us, I’m sure; would do for another human - to sacrifice your precious life for sins you did not commit just for the sake of us gaining access to eternal life?
Additionally, during reflection of the season and what it truly means to me, I constantly reminisce on the scripture of Isaiah chapter 61 verse 3. The verse was penned originally to comfort those who experience grief as a promise that God will give them, ‘Beauty for ashes, strength for fear, gladness for mourning, peace for despair.’ However, in another view, using this scripture as a reference as it relates to the events of lent and crucifixion; Jesus being alive after his crucifixion was a symbol of the beauty gained fromthe event of His sacrifice.
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