• As many Christians from different traditions have noted, the number “40” is a significant number.  Recall that in the Old Testament, some of the most significant narratives reference the number 40 as a part of the story:

    • Noah and his family were in the Ark for 40 days and 40 nights. (Genesis 7:17)
    • Moses experienced the presence of God for 40 days and 40 nights on top of a mountain. (Exodus 34:28)
    • As punishment for their rebellion and complaining, the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years

    The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke) all include in their presentation of the gospel the story of Jesus spending 40 days and 40 nights in the desert:

    Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.

    – Matthew 4:1-2 (See also Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-2).

    Following this event in the life of Jesus, the early church adapted a practice of fasting, self-examination, repentance, renewal and waiting.  While not originally 40 days in length, this practice was primarily followed by those preparing for baptism, leading up to an Easter celebration.  Some trace this practice back to as early as the 2nd century C.E. and as late as the 4th century C.E.  At any rate, this practice has been followed by Christians for nearly 2000 years.

    Lent is a shortened form of the English word “Lenten” which means “spring”.  Accordingly, this time represents an entering into a new season.  During this new season, we enter a period where we abstain from things (fast) and we introduce new practices (discipline).  Someone described Lent as “a season of preparation, self-reflection and repentance when we seek to literally ‘turn around’ and realign our lives and focus toward God. It is a time to give up things as well as take on new life-giving practices, helping us rid ourselves of distractions and our own selfish desires. By doing so, we seek to live and love as more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.” 

    This year, our self-reflection will focus on disengaging from things and ideals that clutter our lives. Clutter, distractions, and unhealthy attachments often distort our worldview, our relationships and our pursuit of God. By unsubscribing from some things, we help clear the way to receive and experience transformative interaction with God. Prayerfully, this journal will provide scriptural prompts to encourage us to “unsubscribe” from the past, hurry, worry, comparisons, cravings (addictions), isolation and fear.

    This journal has been compiled and produced to accompany you on your Lenten journey.  There are 40 days (Monday-Saturday) of readings from the Gospel according to Matthew.  In addition, there are reflective materials that supplement the readings.  Also, there is a space provided for you to respond with prayer and confession.  Your engagement with this journal may serve as a practice that you introduce in your life over the next 40 days.  You will note that there are no readings for the Sundays over the next 6 weeks.  On Sundays, there is no requirement to fast since every first day is a feast day, celebrating the Resurrection!

    I pray that you will open your mind & heart and consider traveling alongside the body of Christ in this Lenten journey.

    I am grateful to those who shared their hearts and provided personal reflections.

Dion Frasier

Preaching
Reynoldsburg Church of Christ

Meditations
  • Ash Wednesday

    March 6th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Psalm 51
  • Thursday after Ash Wednesday

    March 7th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Isaiah 43:16-21
  • Friday after Ash Wednesday

    March 8th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Psalm 37:1-6
  • Saturday after Ash Wednesday

    March 9th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Philippians 3:12-14
  • March 10th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Deuteronomy 26:1-11
    Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
    Romans 10:8b-13
    Luke 4:1-13
  • Monday of the First Week in Lent

    March 11th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Luke 5:12-16
  • Tuesday of the First Week in Lent

    March 12th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Luke 10:38-42
  • Wednesday of the First Week in Lent

    March 13th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Matthew 11:28-30
  • Thursday of the First Week in Lent

    March 14th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Psalm 46
  • Friday of the First Week in Lent

    March 15th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Isaiah 32:16-20
  • Saturday of the First Week in Lent

    March 16th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Isaiah 40:28-31
  • March 17th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
    Psalm 27
    Philippians 3:17-4:1
    Luke 13:31-35
  • Monday of the Second Week in Lent

    March 18th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Psalm 23
  • Tuesday of the Second Week in Lent

    March 19th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Luke 5:12-16
  • Wednesday of the Second Week in Lent

    March 20th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Philippians 4:4-9
  • Thursday of the Second Week in Lent

    March 21st, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Psalm 55:16-23
  • Friday of the Second Week in Lent

    March 22nd, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Psalm 17:1-7
  • Saturday of the Second Week in Lent

    March 23rd, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Matthew 6:25-34
  • March 24th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Isaiah 55:1-9
    Psalm 63:1-8
    1 Corinthians 10:1-13
    Luke 13:1-9
  • Monday of the Third Week in Lent

    March 25th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Psalm 139:1-6
  • Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent

    March 26th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Psalm 139:13-18
  • Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent

    March 27th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Luke 18:14-19
  • Thursday of the Third Week in Lent

    March 28th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Galatians 1:10
  • Friday of the Third Week in Lent

    March 29th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Romans 12:3-8
  • Annunciation of the Lord

    March 30th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    1 Corinthians 12:1-11
  • March 31st, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Joshua 5:9-12
    Psalm 32
    2 Corinthians 5:16-21
    Luke 15:11-32
  • Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent

    April 1st, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Psalm 84:1-12
  • Tuesday of the Fourth Week in Lent

    April 2nd, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    2 Corinthians 12:1-10
  • Wednesday of the Fourth Week in Lent

    April 3rd, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    1 Timothy 6:2b-10
  • Thursday of the Fourth Week in Lent

    April 4th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Romans 5:1-11
  • Friday of the Fourth Week in Lent

    April 5th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    1 Corinthians 10:1-14
  • Saturday of the Fourth Week in Lent

    April 6th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Matthew 6:7-13
  • April 7th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Isaiah 43:16-21
    Psalm 126
    Philippians 3:4b-14
    John 12:1-8
  • Monday of the Fifth Week in Lent

    April 8th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
  • Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Lent

    April 9th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Galatians 5:22-6:6
  • Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Lent

    April 10th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Ephesians 4:25-5:2
  • Thursday of the Fifth Week in Lent

    April 11th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Romans 12:9-13
  • Friday of the Fifth Week in Lent

    April 12th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    1 John 4:7-21
  • Saturday of the Fifth Week in Lent

    April 13th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Acts 2:42-47
  • April 14th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Isaiah 50:4-9a
    Psalm 31:9-16
    Philippians 2:5-11
    Luke 22:14-23:56
  • Monday of Holy Week

    April 15th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Isaiah 41:1-10
  • Tuesday of Holy Week

    April 16th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    2 Timothy 1:3-7
  • Wednesday of Holy Week

    April 17th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Matthew 28:1-10
  • Maundy Thursday

    April 18th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Mark 16:1-8
  • Good Friday

    April 19th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    Luke 24:36-49
  • Holy Saturday

    April 20th, 2019

    Scripture(s)
    John 19-20
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