Posted by
Scottie on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 9:33:10 PM
For forty days and forty nights heavy rain poured down upon the earth (Genesis 7:12) God clears the slate and starts over again
"And he [Moses] was there with The Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant (Exodus 34:28). Moses clears the slate and enters a new covenant with God on behalf of His people.
So he [Elijah] got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night (1 Kings 19:8-9). Elijah clears the slate and prepares to receive the Lord’s instructions.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry (Matthew 4:1-2). Jesus clears the slate and prepares for His ministry on earth.
He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Jesus clears the slate and prepares himself and his flock for his ascension into heaven.
In all of these passages, a forty day rite of purification and preparation occurs. On this Ash Wednesday, let us solemnly enter Lent mindful of its meaning: a forty day period of purification, reflection, and preparation. The central tenet of the Christian faith – the resurrection of the Living Christ -- is at hand. Let us prepare for the occasion and celebrate Easter this year with clean slates of our own.
May God continue to bless us and this great nation he has favored us with.
Scottie