Ashes to Ashes
On Ash Wednesday Christians have ashes put on their foreheads in the sign of the cross. What does this mean?
“Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit through the wilderness, being tempted there by the devil for forty days.” Luke 4: 1 – 13
We now in the Lent period leading up to Easter. A time for personal renewal through prayer, fasting and abstinence intertwined with almsgiving.
In the Gospel for next Sunday, the first Sunday in Lent, we hear about Jesus in the desert. After his baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan, the Holy Spirit leads Jesus there to prepare for his ministry.
What form will his ministry take?
Jesus is hungry; the devil invites Jesus to turn a stone into bread. Jesus quotes from scripture and says: “man does not live by bread alone.”
The devil then shows Jesus the kingdoms of the world and says if Jesus would worship him all this could be his. Jesus again replies with scripture: “you must worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone.”
Lastly, the devil invites Jesus to throw himself from the Temple in Jerusalem. The devil, quoting scripture, says the angels will look after him, Jesus once again replies with scripture: “you must not put God to the test.”
Jesus shows in his answers his ministry is not simply about people’s needs, or being the warrior king messiah expected by the Jews or a wonder worker.
Jesus’ mission on earth is to be a servant king, bringing God’s love and salvation to all humanity for all time.
When we look around the world at international affairs the temptation is to bemoan what we see; the suffering, the wars, the dictatorships and yes we should regret this and want to see it changed, but history is littered with tyrants who have sought to impose their will on others. Here today gone tomorrow.
In the film Jesus of Nazareth Herod is trying to bribe John the Baptist in prison and we hear John saying,” “before kingdoms change men must change.”
Lent is about taking stock. How can I be the person God has called me to be? What definite service am I called to? Lent is an inner journey which will have positive outcomes for those around me.
The key is prayerfully discerning God’s call. This is why this Sunday gospel is so important and we are invited to follow in the footsteps of Jesus in the desert. Try “The Servant King” by Graham Kendrick.