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"...I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me" Philippians 3:12
This last year, for many of us, has been a time of stripping back and loss. Key moments have been missed, things we consider normal have been absent. And yet in the pressure, the chaos and even the pain, there has been an invitation of Jesus to let go of some things in order that we might take hold of Him. As we lean in to lent 2021let is be for you a time of reflection, repentance & renewal in your life. Let us consider deeply the invitation of Jesus to lay aside the things we hold to, in order that we may lay hold of Christ.
JOURNEY TO THE CROSS
DAY 2 - 18.02.21
Hebrews 12:1-3
DAY 3 - 19.02.21
Ephesians 1:18-22
DAY 4 - 20.02.21
John 17:1-3
Day 5 - 21.02.21
Psalm 84:1-7
Walking the way of Jesus
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent - a time of reflection & repentance where we identify with Jesus’ journey to the cross. Ash is a symbol of what has been lost, what is left after the fire, a picture of repentance.
As we turn aside from what harms us and we move towards the Christ that loves us, a beautiful exchange takes place. In the ashes of what we have lost we discover the wonder of knowing Christ.
As we begin our symbolic journey towards the cross, let it be a time where you discover the freedom of letting go in order that you might take a hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of you.
As you engage with our first set of readings, consider the wonder of what it means to know Christ. Think about what you would be willing to leave behind for the joy of knowing Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a fresh revelation of Christ during this period of Lent.
DAY 1 - 17.02.21
Philippians 3:8-13
JOURNEY TO THE CROSS
DAY 7 - 23.02.21
Ephesians 2:8-10
DAY 8 - 24.02.21
Colossians 1:9-14, 2:6-7
Walking the way of Jesus
You and I have been called to something great. Jesus did not step into our story by accident, He had a purpose for our lives.
The invitation of Jesus is to walk in His Way; to step boldly into the good works that God has placed before us. This invitation is an act of grace on God’s part. Whether we respond and walk in a manner worthy of that invitation, well that’s on us.
As you consider the next few days readings, ask the Spirit to remind you of what He has purposed for your life and to realign your heart with His purposes.
Day 6 - 22.02.21
Ephesians 4:1-6
The Way of Jesus is the way of love. When life is foggy or uncertain and we can’t see the way ahead, we can return to what we know is true. The goal of everything Jesus does and the announcement of the gospel is love.
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As we consider Jesus’ journey to the cross (which was a labour of love) let us walk in His footsteps. May we let our lives be poured out too, in love for others.
As you engage with this set of readings, let them spur you on to live a life marked by love for others. Let love compel you towards those who are hurting, to the lost and to those in need.
Day 9 - 25.02.21
Ephesians 5:1-2, Matthew 20:26-28
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Day 10 - 26.02.21
1 John 4:7-12, Ephesians 4:29-32
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Day 11 - 27.02.21
John 15:7-11
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Day 12 - 28.02.21
Romans 8:12-17
JOURNEY TO THE CROSS
DAY 15 - 03.03.21
1 Timothy 6:11-14
Day 16 - 04.03.21
Luke 17:31-32
Day 17 - 05.03.21
Luke 9:57-62
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Day 18 - 06.03.21
2 Timothy 1:6-7, John 14:1-7
Day 19 - 07.03.21
1 Corinthians 2:6-13
The practice of pressing on
Jesus’ road to the cross was a journey of purpose. It required incredible focus, courage and endurance.
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As we continue to identify with Jesus, this week we consider what it means to press on. The practice of pressing on is one that involves our energy, focus, courage and discipline. Our way at times can be a difficult road, it can be lonely, there may be loss and rejection, just like Jesus. But on the other side is resurrection life, the joy of knowing Christ.
As you read this week, ask Jesus to show His perspective on your life. If you need strength and courage, then ask for it. Remind yourself of the joy that is before you as you press on - a deeper experience of knowing Jesus as Lord and a greater freedom in making Him known.
Day 13 - 01.03.21
Philippians 3:8-13
DAY 14 - 02.03.21
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
JOURNEY TO THE CROSS
DAY 22 - 10.03.21
Galatians 6:7-10, Mark 4:26-29
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Day 23 - 11.03.21
James 1:2-4
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Day 24 - 12.03.21
1 Peter 1:3-9
Day 25 - 13.03.21
James 5:7-11
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Day 26 - 14.03.21
Hebrews 12:9-11
The practice of pressing on
In the Kingdom of Heaven, not everything is instantaneous. There is a process to bearing fruit in our lives and through our service that often appears frustratingly slow. If we look on with human eyes, without the perspective of a God who is from everlasting to everlasting, we will quickly become discouraged. Jesus saw beyond the short-term trauma of the cross to the eternal purposes of God. He knew the power of the Kingdom to produce life. The disciples, looking on in that moment must have felt devastated but they couldn’t see what we now see – the incredible expansion of the name of Jesus throughout the world.
As you read the scriptures this week, let them encourage you not to give up, not to pack it in, not to look on life with short-term thinking. Invite the Holy Spirit to open your heart to the incredible purposes of God from everlasting to everlasting.
Day 20 - 08.03.21
Hebrews 10:35-36
DAY 21 - 09.03.21
Isaiah 35:1-4
JOURNEY TO THE CROSS
Day 27 - 15..03.21
Galatians 2:20-21, Romans 6:1-4
DAY 28 - 16.03.21
Romans 6:5-14
DAY 29 - 17.03.21
Luke 9:22-26
The path of deep surrender
When we come to Christ and put our trust in Him the Bible says a death takes place in us, we die to our old life so that we might embrace the new resurrection life Jesus offers us. This process of dying to self is something we often vehemently resist but it is the gateway to life in Jesus. I love how Ruth Haley Barton puts it, “Most often what needs to die in us are the sins, the negative patterns and false self-attachments that limit the freedom of our true-self-in-God. This letting go, it feels like suffering and death because on some level it is; but what we need to understand and know is that it is a death unto life.”
This set of readings remind us of the journey through death into life as we walk with Jesus to the cross. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you about ‘dead’ areas of your life that He wants to remove so that He might bring greater freedom in you.
Day 30 - 18.03.21
Isaiah 40:1-5
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Day 31 - 19.03.21
Hosea 2:14-15
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Day 32 - 20..03.21
1 Kings 19:9-18
Day 33 - 21.03.21
Luke 4:1-4
The wilderness feels like a barren and worthless place. It’s a place in our lives where things are absent, it can feel dry, lonely, empty. Yet in the wilderness God is often whispering to us. Sometimes when all the clutter is stripped away all that is left is God, and a desire to renew our lives with Him.
Why not, as you read these next set of readings, invite the Holy Spirit to renew your passion for Jesus and speak afresh to you.
JOURNEY TO THE CROSS
DAY 35 - 23.03.21
Matthew 11:28-30
DAY 36 - 24.03.21
Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7
The path of deep surrender
Often there are metaphorical reigns in our lives – things that drive us, lead us forcefully, weigh us down.
Ultimately these things lead us away from the whisper of God. It might be the expectations of others, the need to be in control, crippling anxiety, the desire to please, the love for other things. Jesus wants to lead us by His voice. He longs for us to be deeply connected to Him.
As you read this set of readings consider what it would look like for Jesus to lead you by His whisper.
Day 34 - 22.03.21
Psalm 32:8-9
Day 37 - 25.03.21
Colossians 3:1-11
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Day 38 - 26.03.21
Ephesians 4:20 – 24
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Day 39 - 27.03.21
Colossians 3:12-17
Day 40 - 28.03.21
Romans 13:11-14
Part of our journey to the cross is recognising that there are things we need to let go of, leave behind.
There are things that we hold to that are part of our old life, they lead to death and have no place in the life we now life by faith in Christ. They may be old patterns of sins, thoughts, desires, appetites. Jesus invites us with the help of the Spirit to put these things to death and put on the new life we’ve been offered in Him. Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ means embracing all that He has given us, with all of our hearts, minds, bodies, and emotions.
As you read this next set of readings invite the Holy Spirit to empower you to put away the old, literally putting it to death, and embrace the new life He offers in return. What a beautiful exchange.
JOURNEY TO THE CROSS
Holy Week
This week is Holy Week. We’ve intentionally included a longer set of readings that simply journey the story of the passion of the Christ as recorded by Luke in his gospel.
This week as we read, we want to remind ourselves of the lengths that Christ Jesus went for us, the journey He took so that we might live. Let it move you, let is stir you, let it renew your passion afresh to live wholeheartedly.
As you mourn, rejoice, consider let it overflow in thanksgiving and wholehearted worship for King Jesus – who for your sake gave up all things and journeyed to the cross, so you might have life everlasting.
Monday
Luke 22:1-23
Tuesday
Luke 22:24-46
Wednesday
Luke 22:47 - 71
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Maundy Thursday
Luke 23:1-25
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Good Friday
Luke 23:26-49
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Easter Saturday
Luke 23:50-56
Easter Sunday
Luke 24:1-12