Focus on Jesus Christ

Jesus was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness so He could be alone with God. God knew the temptations were coming. God didn’t order the temptations or cause them; God just knew they would be there. Just before hand, God reminded Jesus of their relationship. God provided the Holy Spirit to strengthen Jesus.

In the wilderness of temptation, Jesus struggled to keep His ministry and purpose in focus. This past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Christian Season that followers of Jesus Christ call Lent. As we move through this Lenten Season, the season of the 40 days leading up to Easter and the celebration or the Resurrection, we are called to keep our eyes and our focus on Jesus Christ. How do we do that? Worship is always a good place to start, especially worship where we celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion. At the Lord’s Table we are reminded who we are, and our relationship with God, and we are fed and filled with God’s grace.

There are other important ways to stay focused on the Cross as well. Self denial, prayer and Bible Study are so important. Self denial is an important Christian concept; it allows us to walk the same path Jesus walked. It allows us to feel some of what Jesus felt when He gave up everything for our sake. Over the ages people have given up all sorts of things like meat, sweets, chocolate, going to the movies and those kinds of things. Self denial is about making a sacrifice that makes a difference, focusing on the Cross and reminding ourselves what Christ gave up for us. I have listed a few things we might want to give up, not only during Lent, but give up permanently!

Give us complaining. Instead, “In everything give thanks.” Always focus on the positive!
Give up looking at other people’s worst attributes. Instead, concentrate on their best points. Give up gossip and speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. Give up your hatred of anyone or anything. Instead, learn the discipline of unconditional love. “Love covers a multitude of sins.” Give up your worries and anxieties. They are too heavy for you to carry anyway. Instead, trust God with them. Live today and let God’s grace be sufficient. Give up TV one evening a week. Instead, visit someone who is lonely or sick. Give up buying anything but essentials for yourself. Instead, give the money to God. The money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet basic needs. We are called to be stewards of God’s riches, not consumers. Give up prejudice, bigotry and judging others by appearances. Instead, learn to give up yourself to God. There is only one who has the right to judge, Jesus Christ.

We know that overcoming temptation makes us stronger and helps us keep our focus. Make a commitment this week to pray, read your Bible and attend worship. The whole point of the Lenten Season is to keep our lives and our hearts focused on Jesus Christ and His amazing grace and unconditional love for everyone!