A Journey with Jesus during Lent

Saturday, March 25, 2023

A Journey with Jesus during Lent

Day 28

Matthew 27:47-48

When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.

Ladies, as we finish out this week, once again, I didn’t think I’d be going in this direction, but after a walk with God this morning, He pointed me in a NEW direction. If we were to read our two verses only, we wouldn’t get much and might be confused? We read that the people who are watching the crucifixion are now confused (how ironic) and perhaps making a last-ditch effort, maybe due to guilt or empathy, decide to give Jesus a little something to drink, sour wine in a sponge lifted up on a stick. Ok……

Now stay with me, these very words were said by the prophet David 900+ years before. David expresses from his heart, probably the most sorrowful and grief-filled song in what we have today as Psalm 69 in our Bible. Psalm 69:19-21 says, “You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”

This is just one of MANY prophecies that were foretold in the books of the Old Testament and Jesus Christ fulfilled ALL of them. If we gather them all together, they form the proof of Jesus Christ’s full deity! While Jesus walked the earth and went about his ministry, He knew that He was fulfilling these prophecies and therefore used this knowledge to confirm his claims of being the Son of God in the flesh.

I had to go to Luke for this but in chapter 24 verses 25-27, Jesus said, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering His glory?”

How do I conclude? Well, up to this point, we have journeyed with Jesus mostly through hard times. It HAS been difficult. BUT God surely does know us, He knows all of us, our heart and our full humanity. We continue to misunderstand, we continue to get confused, we continue to offer up “things” when all we need to do is offer up our repentance, ask for forgiveness and we are made NEW once again because of Jesus. Thank you, Jesus!

What stood out to you today?

Dear Jesus,

We praise You and give thanks that we get to journey with You through this season of Lent. Draw us closer to Your heart, that we might know You better. After we daily reflect on Your selflessness and life-giving Word, give us wisdom to be Your hands and feet in the world just as You intend. Give us hearts of compassion, hands of generosity, and feet that take Your good news to the world. We love You and are honored to serve you Lord, our sweet Savior. Amen.

Week 5 Act of Kindness

“I was sick and you looked after me” Matthew 25:36b

This week, help someone who is sick or in the hospital.