Extended Preparation

In the season of Lent, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us in His earthly ministry. When He was 12, He already knew that His Father’s house was in Jerusalem, not in Nazareth. Yet He returned with Joseph and Mary and was subject to them. His public ministry begins 18 years later. This is a great lesson of Lent. As Jesus did, we have in our lives long seasons of preparation. Abraham, Noah, Moses, Elijah, all had long periods when God promised and declared things, but they had much to learn and long to wait. Will we be faithful stewards of God’s house while we wait? Will we learn obedience through the things we suffer, as Jesus did? Will we keep His return in mind, remembering for whom we work, why we deny ourselves?

3/18/12