Lent: On the Way to the Cross 2

Thanks, Scot. We truly need this reminder to shape our thinking and our lives. It's all about following Jesus. But what does that mean? Pretty clear, if we stay in the gospels, and keep poring over them.

Chris,

Good question ... one that will emerge forcibly in the life of Mary. The community element is in Mary's mind with Messiah but that community element will be transformed.

But, I confess to focusing here on individuals. It could easily be expanded and so I added a question in brackets thanks to your comment.

I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. Any where in the Bible do you see the disciple of Jesus practicing lent? Jesus giving the command to do lent for 40 days before the cross? Where in the Bible do you see authority for lent? Fat tuesday is a day of abusing the grace of God. Romans 6:1-ff Paul says shall we sin that grace may increase by no means we have left that old way of life. Romans 12:1-2 tells us to be living sacrfices not just for 40 days but 365 days a year. We are called to take up our cross daily and follow him. Christianity is 24/7. We are saved by grace. Lent is it not a work? Eph. 2:9 tells us that we are saved by grace not works that we can boast. Grace. How wonderful is that grace that we have been given. We can't earn it. We can't Lent to get it. It is a gift of God paid at the highest price the blood of Jesus Christ. So tell me if you can where fat tuesday, lent is in the spoken of by Jesus and mentioned in the Bible.

The Day of Atonment is under the law of the Old Testament Jesus tells us that he has come to complete the law. Romans talks about that we are now under the law but under the law of grace. Going back to Eph. 2 would not lent be works? We are saved by grace through faith. I think as Christians we should understand that their is nothing that we can give up or atone for 40 days in order to recieve the grace of God. It is a gift of God. So if Jesus came to came to complete the law and we are now under the law of grace does it make any sense at all to lent?

Thanks, Scot. I hadn't realized what image of Messiah Mary would have had in her head and how justified she was to have the image. I guess I always thought she suspected he'd have to die. As a mother too I wonder what must she have gone through to see all her high hopes and the future of her son change like that? When was it that she began to understand and how did her heart struggle to submit to God? How I wish the Bible had preserved more of her story for us!