As we approach Lent, what can we learn from Jesus’ journey to the cross? Author and speaker Jane Rubietta joins Jo Rathmanner for an in-depth look at how Jesus died to restore true life. Her book is .
Beginning with Ash Wednesday, Lent is a special season that leads up to Easter. It is the 40 days prior to Easter (not counting the Sundays) that reminds us of our humanity and fallen state, and the journey we walk out as we head towards what Christ accomplished on the cross; reconciliation with our Creator. It’s a special season to spend time digging into the tenets of our faith, drawing closer to God, and walking out our faith journey intentionally.
As Christ entered the wilderness for 40 days, relinquishing himself from all material possessions and relying solely on God’s provision, often Christians will follow in Christ’s footsteps by giving up something during the 40 days of Lent. This act of self denial is an honoring display of faith as we set aside something so that we can get more time with God. It’s a 40 day time period where we consciously commit to disciplines of faith.
One discipline is the journey of repentance. This journey of repentance is one Christians take each year as Easter approaches, but it’s also our lifetime pursuit as we approach the promise of heaven and eternity with God through our daily repentance. Our repentance acknowledges our fallen state, and looks to God and His promises for redemption. The hope is that in these days prior to Easter we’re preparing to receive the promises given to us that were sealed in Christ’s death and resurrection.
As Jane mentions in her book, Christ’s resurrection was not meant to be viewed as a single, stand alone event, but rather in light of a story that began long ago in the Garden of Eden.
The life lost in Eden is found through Gethsemane. In her book, Jane takes us along her daily journey through Lent as she traces the way that God the Son traverses with his people – a path that leads from the exile and death represented by the garden of Eden, to resurrection life like it is meant to be, occasioned by what began in the gospel’s garden of Gethsemane.
It’s a true story of how far Christ went to redeem us, and how to prepare ourselves to truly understand exactly what Jesus did for us.
Are you waiting for that big feeling of coming to know Christ? Do you find yourself feeling like you haven’t done enough?
- God’s work through Jesus Christ is enough
- replace the lies that keep bubbling to the surface with Scripture
- stop letting that old track play over and over, God makes new music each day
- God’s forgiveness is final, your sins are erased through Christ’s sacrifice
- Your mistakes and your suffering can teach you how to love others better as you come to know their circumstances through your own experiences
Listen in as Jo asks Jane,
“Why do we struggle with understanding that what Christ did is enough and final?”
“When can suffering become useful?”
“What’s a great way to start observing the 40 days of Lent?”
