Today marks the beginning of our 14-day journey to a deeper understanding of how to abide with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We will go back and forth on reflecting over passages of scripture and reading historical liturgical prayers to create space for you to enrich your walk with God as you fast. Through this, we are going to look honestly at our lives and ask for the Holy Spirit to invade and sanctify us, that we would look more like Him by the end.
Take a second and breathe. Wherever you are, whatever it looks like—whether it’s a mad scene of children running in circles around the house and you’re trying your best to make the space to commune with Jesus, or you have successfully found a quiet spot, simply BREATHE. Our God is here. He is in your midst, ready to converse with you as His fearfully and wonderfully made child.
Before we dive into talking about how to abide in Jesus, we first must reflect on the life of Jesus and what it means for us. Fully man and fully God, born of a virgin just as the prophesies of the Old Testament foretold. A holy and precious miracle in and of Himself, lived without sin on our behalf because of our inability to do so. The weight of our sin, which separated us from God, had to be purified by blood, for “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin” (Hebrews 9:22). Considering this, our Heavenly Father sent His one and only son to take on our punishment through death on a cross. The perfect sacrifice for the atonement of sin, securing an eternal redemption. (Read Hebrews 9-10 for greater context.)
Take a moment and thank God for sending His son.
Now, taking a greater look at the finished work on the cross, read Mark 15:33-39.
The veil that separated man from God’s holy presence was TORN. Those that stood witness to this dark, yet awesome act of the One True God knew He was who He said He was in that moment—the very people that persecuted him, left in astonishment and awe of what had occurred. But this victory that He bestows upon us through the atonement of sin doesn’t stop there. Christ was resurrected on the third day and now sits on the Mercy Seat as our Mediator between us and God the Father. Not only do those that believe and follow the resurrected King Jesus get to spend eternity in perfect union with the Father, but we get to experience His glory on THIS SIDE of heaven! Thanks be to God!!
Read Ephesians 2:4-10.
It truly is a fantastic life we live when we hold fast the confession of our hope through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:23).
May the Gospel never slip into a passive story of your religion. May it be that which gives light and breath to your every moment of every day, informing your steps. May God’s grace shine upon you and enable you to see how His perfect mercy is sufficient for yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
PRAYER
Finish your time by asking the Lord to allow the truth of the Gospel to invade what He has set before you today.
