Today we begin the commemoration of the forty days which Jesus spent in the wilderness. For some, it is called – Lent.
During these next forty days, we think about our own shortcomings, also known as sin, and repent. We think about the ways in which our lives need to change.
“Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15, NASB)
Here we find Jesus both announcing His Kingdom, and preaching the Gospel. Looking closely at the above verses, we discover hearing the Gospel will demand a response.
Reading those same Scriptures in the AMPC sheds more depth of meaning:
“Now after John was arrested and put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God, And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel).”
I sat looking at those words for some time and then it came to me. Reading in reverse so to speak —> When I truly believe in, trust in, rely on, and adhere to the Good News then my life will reflect a change of conduct for the better.
It is by the path of repentance and forgiveness that we are completely and forever accepted by God.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7, NASB)
Isaiah reminds us of four actions we are to take: “seek the Lord”; “call upon Him”; “forsake our ways”; and “return to the Lord.”
“Return to the Lord” would infer this is written to those who knew the Lord but had gone astray. Repent and return.
These forty days long to take us on a journey if you will, of reflection and introspection. We take the time to examine our lives, letting the Lord search out our hearts, to see where we have compromised. Not by our standards but of His. We look to see where the ideas and opinions of the world have taken up residency causing us to forsake His ways.
May we have a change of mind,
a change in conduct,
as we return to the good news of the Gospel.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
These are good practices year round, but it is also good to have a concentrated time of self-examination and reflection on what Jesus has done for us.
It seems as if 2026 has been a season of reflection, Joanne.
Joanne, I like to think of Lent as a voluntary, self-imposed journey into the wilderness to do just what you mention. A walking with Christ in contemplation, allowing His love to draw us into repentance and a deeper love for Him.
These reminders call us to slow our busy pace and too often chaotic thinking and concerns about the latest headlines and get back to the truly important main thing – our relationship with Christ and what it cost Him to grace us with a relationship with Him.
“When I truly believe in, trust in, rely on, and adhere to the Good News then my life will reflect a change of conduct for the better.” Well said and perfectly sums up what I’m reading in the book of Hebrews.
Believing, trusting, relying, and adhering with you my friend for revelation and rebuilding in this Lenten season!
I love how you did a reverse reading there Joanne, how poignant that is!
Blessings to you sweet friend, Jennifer
Like Advent, Lent is a challenge for me to pay attention to the lessons of the season.
I love these reminders from Isaiah! Yesterday, at our weekly bible study, I shared a devotional focused on this season we are entering… it’s a season that invites us to slow down and to return and to gently make space again for grace. Not through pressure or striving, but through honesty. Through small moments of turning back. Through quiet
openness. This season doesn’t ask us to be perfect. It simply invites us to walk a little closer with Jesus — one honest step at a time.
I’ve been reflecting on Lent and the importance of moving out of autopilot and into a slower, more intentional way of being. Thank you for these thoughtful truths, Joanne! What a blessing to connect with you in this space today!
“When I truly believe in, trust in, rely on, and adhere to the Good News then my life will reflect a change of conduct for the better”. I find that it’s the ‘adhering’ part of that sentence where i fall short. I’m grateful for God’s grace, once we look to Him and return, we are welcomed. Thanks for sharing.
This is a beautiful reflection Joanne.
‘It is by the path of repentance and forgiveness that we are completely and forever accepted by God.’
Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for Your sacrifice. Where would we be, who would we be without You.
We adore You.