Lenten Thoughts
During this time of year, 2,100,000,000 Christians think about the life, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as they have over the last 2000 years. It is echoed in many cultures and in as many languages. What is the essence, the heart, the main point of His sacrifice as the Christian religion teaches about during Lent? What are the most important things? Christ was asked this by a scribe as written in Mark 12:30-31 who gave this insight:
30 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
To love God the Father AND to love your neighbor as yourself are the main points of His sacrifice, by way of the most important commandments, or that which Christians must do. What could people do to show that they actually loved their neighbor? Matthew adds insight in 25:34-40:
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
This gives direction for the two most important commandments of God the Father, given to His faithful by His Son, according to Christian belief. Our world, our nation, our state, our county and our towns would all benefit spiritually, morally and materially by allowing the wisdom of these commandments to really become part of us. Perhaps this Lent, the warmth of this Christian wisdom will melt hearts and reach neighbors everywhere.