It dawned on me this morning that everything in Jesus' life, even the early portions of His life - all foreshadow His last 12 hours. They foreshadow His Passion. It is like they are clues that the Gospel writers left that point towards why Jesus has come and what He has come to do. Take a look at the Gospel readings for the season of Lent.
First Sunday in Lent: Jesus is tempted in the wilderness: foreshadows Jesus tempted in the garden of Gethsemane.
Second Sunday in Lent: After following Him for years and even calling Him "the Christ", Peter rebukes Jesus for speaking about death and resurrection: foreshadows Peter vowing to go to death with Him at the Last Supper but denying Him three times at the palace of the high priest.
Third Sunday in Lent: Jesus cleanses the temple with a whip of cords (a scourge), naming His body as the temple: foreshadows His own body being scourged as a punishment for our sin.
Fourth Sunday in Lent: Jesus declares the Son of Man must be lifted up like Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness: foreshadows His crucifixion.
Fifth Sunday in Lent: Jesus declares the Son of Man came to give His life as a ransom for many: foreshadows His death.
These clues focus us on all that Christ endured to save us. They highlight His Passion for our salvation - His great zeal to save us from our enemies - sin, death and the devil. And these are not the only clues. The clues are nearly endless, but during this season of Lent may our Lord set our eyes on His Son, His Only Son, that we may see He held nothing back, but gave us sinners His most precious gift.
No comments:
Post a Comment