The global church is about to enter the season of Lent. Beginning with Ash Wednesday on Feb 17, much of the church will frame its journey to Easter using Jesus’ “forty days” of testing in the wilderness as a guide. The word “Lent” comes from the old English word, “Lengten.” In the Northern Hemisphere is refers to the “lengthening” of days as we move from winter into spring. The church traces the lengthening journey of Jesus to Easter, with its cross and resurrection.

For the past few weeks, we have provided resources based on Luke’s Gospel. It is evident that the image of “journey” is important for Luke. Often Jesus is depicted as “on the way.” The Book of Acts, also authored by Luke, speaks of the early Christian community as people of “the way.” The early chapters of Luke portray the public ministry of Jesus in Galilee [see 4:14 ff]. Here we see Jesus engaged in a ministry of healing, teaching, and forming the nucleus of a community of disciples. It’s clear that this public ministry also threatens those in power, so that tensions emerge early on. A significant moment comes when Luke says, “When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem” [9:51]. It is this journey to Jerusalem that will form our focus during the season of Lent.

For the past few weeks, resources have been provided on The Salvation Army’s web site for worship, preaching and leading Bible Studies based on Luke’s Gospel. We invite you to become part of this journey with us. We invite you to make use of the “Discussion” link to share resources or ideas you may have. We also invite you to share some of the insights you are gaining from Luke, or actions your community is taking in response to this Gospel. There are some wonderful artistic resources we can draw upon during this season. For instance, I have become aware of a You Tube video which shows the Dave Brubeck Jazz Quartet performing his composition based on the temptations of Jesus, “Forty Days.” [See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8PQBYEkHHg]. The dissonance of Lent creates movement towards Easter.

Blessings as you join us in this Journey Towards Easter…and Beyond.

Bruce Power [Major]
Kim Garreffa [THQ Music and Gospel Arts]
Ray Harris [Major]