Embracing the In-Between: A Lenten Journey
Summary
In this time of Lent, we find ourselves in a season of reflection and preparation, much like the transition from winter to spring. This period is characterized by a sense of "in-betweenness," where we are neither at the beginning nor at the end, but somewhere in the middle. It is a time to look inward, to examine our hearts and lives, and to retell God's story through our actions and faith. Lent is a reminder of the Israelites' journey through the desert, free from captivity yet not in the Promised Land, and of Job's steadfast hope amidst suffering. It is a season that calls us to find contentment in the "already, but not yet" of our spiritual journey.
Reflecting on Jesus' time in the wilderness, we see a profound example of embracing the human experience. Jesus, fully God and fully man, chose to walk through the wilderness, facing hunger, loneliness, and temptation. Satan tempted Him with the easy way out, offering shortcuts to avoid suffering. Yet, Jesus chose the path of humanity, embracing the pain and challenges that come with it. This choice underscores the importance of walking through our own wilderness experiences, rather than seeking to escape them.
The temptations Jesus faced remind us of our own struggles to avoid discomfort and pain. We often desire to skip to the "good part" of life, avoiding the hard work and suffering that come with being human. However, Lent teaches us to walk through these challenges, holding onto the promise of resurrection and new life. It is a time to acknowledge our limitations and the brokenness of the world, while also recognizing the goodness and faithfulness of God.
As we journey through Lent, we are encouraged to embrace the suffering and challenges of life, knowing that we do not walk alone. We walk with Jesus, who has gone before us, and with fellow believers who support and carry each other's burdens. In this season, we are called to find contentment and peace in the midst of suffering, trusting in the promise of resurrection and new life.
Key Takeaways:
1. Lent is a season of "in-betweenness," where we are called to find contentment in the space between the beginning and the end. It is a time to reflect on our lives and retell God's story through our actions and faith. This period reminds us of the Israelites' journey and Job's hope amidst suffering, teaching us to embrace the "already, but not yet" of our spiritual journey. [45:19]
2. Jesus' time in the wilderness exemplifies the importance of embracing the human experience. Despite being fully God, He chose to walk through the wilderness, facing hunger, loneliness, and temptation. This choice highlights the significance of walking through our own wilderness experiences, rather than seeking to escape them. [49:14]
3. The temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness remind us of our own struggles to avoid discomfort and pain. We often desire to skip to the "good part" of life, avoiding the hard work and suffering that come with being human. Lent teaches us to walk through these challenges, holding onto the promise of resurrection and new life. [51:15]
4. As we journey through Lent, we are encouraged to embrace the suffering and challenges of life, knowing that we do not walk alone. We walk with Jesus, who has gone before us, and with fellow believers who support and carry each other's burdens. This season calls us to find contentment and peace in the midst of suffering, trusting in the promise of resurrection. [51:15]
5. In this season of Lent, we are reminded to call on God's name for strength and guidance. We are encouraged to not rush through the hard parts, but to let ourselves walk through them, finding contentment and peace as we share in the Lord's suffering. This journey leads us to walk in His resurrection, holding onto the promise of new life. [51:15]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer
- [01:15] - The Season of Lent
- [03:00] - Living in the In-Between
- [05:45] - The Israelites' Journey
- [08:20] - Job's Hope Amidst Suffering
- [10:50] - Jesus in the Wilderness
- [13:30] - Fully God, Fully Man
- [16:00] - Temptations in the Wilderness
- [18:45] - Embracing the Human Experience
- [21:15] - Walking Through Challenges
- [24:00] - Finding Contentment in Suffering
- [26:30] - Calling on God's Name
- [29:00] - Encouragement for the Lenten Journey
- [31:00] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness
2. Job 13:15 - Job's Hope Amidst Suffering
3. Philippians 3:10 - Knowing Christ and Sharing in His Sufferings
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the three temptations that Jesus faced in the wilderness, and how did He respond to each one? [49:14]
2. How does the story of the Israelites' journey through the desert relate to the concept of "in-betweenness" during Lent? [45:19]
3. What does the phrase "already, but not yet" mean in the context of our spiritual journey, as discussed in the sermon? [45:19]
4. How does the sermon describe Jesus' choice to embrace the human experience, and what significance does this have for us? [49:14]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' response to temptation in the wilderness serve as a model for dealing with our own struggles and temptations? [49:14]
2. In what ways does the story of Job illustrate the theme of hope amidst suffering, and how can this be applied to our lives during Lent? [45:19]
3. What does it mean to find contentment in the "in-betweenness" of life, and how can this perspective change our approach to challenges? [45:19]
4. How does the concept of sharing in Christ's sufferings, as mentioned in Philippians 3:10, deepen our understanding of the Lenten journey? [51:15]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a current "wilderness" experience in your life. How can you embrace this season rather than seeking to escape it? [49:14]
2. Consider a time when you were tempted to take the easy way out of a difficult situation. How can Jesus' example in the wilderness guide your response in similar situations? [49:14]
3. How can you find contentment in the "already, but not yet" aspects of your spiritual journey? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this mindset? [45:19]
4. Identify an area of your life where you struggle to find hope amidst suffering. How can the story of Job inspire you to maintain hope and trust in God? [45:19]
5. During this Lenten season, what specific actions can you take to walk alongside others in their suffering, as Jesus walks with us? [51:15]
6. How can you call on God's name for strength and guidance in your current challenges, and what difference does this make in your journey? [51:15]
7. Reflect on the idea of sharing in Christ's sufferings. How can this perspective transform your understanding of hardship and lead you toward resurrection and new life? [51:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Finding Contentment in the In-Between
In the season of Lent, we are invited to embrace the "in-betweenness" of our spiritual journey. This period is not about rushing to the end or longing for the beginning, but about finding peace and contentment in the present moment. Just as the Israelites wandered in the desert, free from captivity but not yet in the Promised Land, we too are called to reflect on our lives and retell God's story through our actions and faith. This time of reflection is an opportunity to examine our hearts, acknowledge our limitations, and trust in God's faithfulness, even when the path ahead is unclear. [45:19]
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel "in-between"? How can you find contentment and peace in this space today, trusting in God's timing and plan?
Day 2: Embracing the Wilderness Experience
Jesus' time in the wilderness serves as a profound example of embracing the human experience. Despite being fully God, He chose to walk through the wilderness, facing hunger, loneliness, and temptation. This choice highlights the importance of walking through our own wilderness experiences, rather than seeking to escape them. In these moments of trial, we are reminded that Jesus understands our struggles and walks with us. By embracing the challenges of life, we grow in our faith and draw closer to God, trusting in His strength and guidance. [49:14]
"And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him." (Mark 1:13, ESV)
Reflection: What is a current "wilderness" experience you are facing? How can you embrace this challenge, knowing that Jesus walks with you and understands your struggles?
Day 3: Resisting the Temptation to Avoid Discomfort
The temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness remind us of our own struggles to avoid discomfort and pain. We often desire to skip to the "good part" of life, avoiding the hard work and suffering that come with being human. However, Lent teaches us to walk through these challenges, holding onto the promise of resurrection and new life. By acknowledging our limitations and the brokenness of the world, we can also recognize the goodness and faithfulness of God, who is with us in every trial. [51:15]
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to avoid discomfort? How can you face this challenge head-on, trusting in God's faithfulness and the promise of new life?
Day 4: Walking Together Through Suffering
As we journey through Lent, we are encouraged to embrace the suffering and challenges of life, knowing that we do not walk alone. We walk with Jesus, who has gone before us, and with fellow believers who support and carry each other's burdens. This season calls us to find contentment and peace in the midst of suffering, trusting in the promise of resurrection. By leaning on our community and sharing in each other's struggles, we can find strength and encouragement to persevere. [51:15]
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you support and encourage in their struggles today? How can you walk alongside them, sharing in their burdens and offering the hope of Christ?
Day 5: Calling on God's Name for Strength
In this season of Lent, we are reminded to call on God's name for strength and guidance. We are encouraged to not rush through the hard parts, but to let ourselves walk through them, finding contentment and peace as we share in the Lord's suffering. This journey leads us to walk in His resurrection, holding onto the promise of new life. By seeking God's presence and relying on His strength, we can navigate the challenges of life with hope and confidence. [51:15]
"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally seek God's strength and presence in your life today? What specific steps can you take to rely on Him more fully in your current challenges?
Quotes
We live most of our lives in this, knowing that more is coming, knowing that there's something ahead, but yet not there yet, this time of in-between. You see, this is our time of Lent. We know that, right? We have heard, right, it's Friday, but Sunday's coming, right? We hear this, we know it's there, but yet we're still in this in-between, and it's okay. [00:43:36] (26 seconds)
We can live in this place of in-between, of already, but not yet, and we can find contentment. In fact, we're commanded to find contentment in this space of not quite yet. Lent is the Israelites walking through the desert, free, saved, walked away from their captors, but still not in the promised land. [00:44:01] (24 seconds)
Lent is Job, who sits with his scabs and his dead family, and all those things, and says, yes, I think I have it, maybe, even though you slay me, yet I will hope in him. That is Lent. Lent is this time that says, even though I sit in this place of in-between, even though I don't know when the promised land is there, even though I don't, yet my hope is in him. [00:44:49] (30 seconds)
Jesus is baptized, and then he is led by the Spirit. He chooses, he is led into this place of wilderness. The scripture really reminds us of an important truth about who Christ is. And it's one that we have wrestled with as the church for hundreds of years, that Christ is fully God, led by the Spirit, fully God, and yet also fully man. [00:46:29] (28 seconds)
And somehow people smarter than me have bigger words to try to explain this phenomenon, this truth that we hold, but he's fully God. He does not leave his godliness at the door when he becomes a human being. He is still fully God, and yet somehow he's also human, just like us, fully human. [00:47:09] (22 seconds)
In order to fully walk into that salvation, we need to know that God was, Jesus was fully human, and still fully God, able to be with us in our suffering, and to identify with us. So Jesus is fully God, fully man. He goes to this desert by choice, as led, and he's in this place of wilderness, this perpetual place of in-between, right? [00:48:22] (21 seconds)
He has fully day, 40 days of being tested, right? He's in a tough season, I think would be our language. We would say, now how's it going? How many people said like, January was a really long year? I feel like more than one person said it this year. How are you doing? Oh, January was a really long year. [00:48:57] (15 seconds)
And this is what Jesus is, he's in this tough place. And then while he's there, while he's at, he's hungry, he hasn't eaten, he's fully human, he's feeling all the human feelings, right? He's hungry, he's tired, he's alone. All of these things we feel, that loneliness, that, that's where he's at. And he feels them so fully. [00:49:42] (22 seconds)
And then the accuser shows up. Satan shows up. When Jesus is feeling so human, he can identify with us, and we can identify with him. And when he's down, the accuser shows up. And the accuser gives him three temptations at this point that we read in our scripture. First he says, turn these stones into bread. [00:50:05] (20 seconds)
And he chooses not to skip it. He knows the promise. He knows the promise. And he chooses to walk through the path. He chooses for the next three years to walk that hard walk. He walks a walk of rejection. Right? Rejection by people around him. Rejection by his family. [00:51:34] (22 seconds)
He walks the next three years ultimately feeling pain, feeling hunger, feeling discomfort, feeling tired, feeling all of those things we feel, feeling grief. Right? Jesus grieves. Jesus is exhausted. Jesus lives the next three years walking through that in-between that Lent is our reminder of. [00:51:59] (27 seconds)
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