From Wilderness to Resurrection | March 2025
Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ_v-yaIvfI
Program Transcript
There’s a beauty in watching a gardener prepare the soil for new life. Before any planting, there’s a process—removing weeds, breaking up the hardened ground, making space for what is to come. In many ways, this season of Easter Preparation is like tending the garden of our hearts. It’s a time for uprooting what no longer serves us, making room for the new life that —God wants to bring.
This year, March 5th marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Easter Preparation. The time of reflection and renewal isn’t just a ritual; it’s a journey. It’s a season that mirrors the journey of Jesus as He prepared for His mission, His ultimate purpose. Just as He anticipated His resurrection, we too look forward to our own resurrection, a promise of new life and hope.
Let’s see what the apostle Paul has to say in Romans 6:4-8. He paints a vivid picture of our connection to Christ:
“We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life…”
Paul reminds us that our baptism isn’t just a ceremony; it’s a profound joining with Christ in His death and resurrection. We’re invited into this same journey—dying to our old selves, rising into the newness of life, a life shaped by the love and mission of Jesus.
As we prepare for Easter, we reflect on Jesus—the first sent one. Before His public ministry, Jesus entered a season of preparation. For 40 days, He walked into the wilderness, a place of solitude, reflection, and fasting. But why would the sinless Son of God need preparation? What could He possibly need to repent from or change?
The word “repent” stems from the Greek word metanoia, meaning “a change of mind.” Jesus wasn’t repenting of sin; He was aligning His focus, stepping fully into His mission. His wilderness experience wasn’t about turning away from wrong but preparing His heart and mind for the monumental task ahead—bringing the gospel to the world.
In the wilderness, Jesus faced temptation, but He also received affirmation from the Father. “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased”. He was strengthened, not just for Himself, but for His mission. His journey was always directed toward Jerusalem, the cross, and ultimately, the empty tomb. He understood the cost—the suffering and death—but He also held firmly to the hope of resurrection and the salvation it would bring to humanity.
As we enter these 40 days of Easter Preparation, we are invited to join Jesus in this sacred journey. Like Him, we’re called to a time of self-reflection, repentance—not from sin alone, but from anything that distracts us from our mission. We’re called to metanoia, to align our minds and hearts with God’s purpose.
This season is not just about looking inward; it’s about looking outward. We’re reminded that our preparation is for a mission. It’s a time to weigh the cost of discipleship, yes, but also to remember the joy and the purpose of it—to live and share the gospel, to carry the good news of Jesus’ love and life to the world.
We follow Jesus into the wilderness, into moments of solitude and prayer. We walk with Him toward Jerusalem, through the pain and triumph of Gethsemane, and finally, to the cross. Each step is a reminder that our mission is not our own—it’s rooted in His.
This season is a time to recommit our “yes” to God. To say yes to His call, yes to His mission, and yes to the hope of resurrection. It’s a time to reflect on how we, as His followers, are sent into the world to embody and share His love.
So, as we journey through these days of Easter Preparation, let’s embrace this time as a sacred opportunity. Let’s prepare our hearts, not just for Easter, but for the mission God has called us to. Let’s be reminded that just as Jesus was sent, we too are sent—to live and share the gospel, to bring hope and life to a world in need. Here are some ways we can join Jesus in living sent:
- Embrace Repentance (Metanoia): Use this season to identify areas in your life where God is calling for a change of heart and mind. What patterns, thoughts, or actions need to align more closely with His will?
- Seek Renewal in Mission: Renew your commitment to the mission of sharing God’s love. In what ways can you embody the hope of the resurrection in your daily life, bringing light and life to those around you?
- Walk in Solidarity with Jesus: As Jesus walked this path to Jerusalem, reflect on how you can walk with Him through challenges, offering your struggles and hopes in alignment with His mission of redemption.
May God bless you as you walk with Jesus through this season of preparation, reflection, and mission, allowing His love to renew and guide you in every step.
Program Transcript
There’s a beauty in watching a gardener prepare the soil for new life. Before any planting, there’s a process—removing weeds, breaking up the hardened ground, making space for what is to come. In many ways, this season of Easter Preparation is like tending the garden of our hearts. It’s a time for uprooting what no longer serves us, making room for the new life that —God wants to bring.
This year, March 5th marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Easter Preparation. The time of reflection and renewal isn’t just a ritual; it’s a journey. It’s a season that mirrors the journey of Jesus as He prepared for His mission, His ultimate purpose. Just as He anticipated His resurrection, we too look forward to our own resurrection, a promise of new life and hope.
Let’s see what the apostle Paul has to say in Romans 6:4-8. He paints a vivid picture of our connection to Christ:
“We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life…”
Paul reminds us that our baptism isn’t just a ceremony; it’s a profound joining with Christ in His death and resurrection. We’re invited into this same journey—dying to our old selves, rising into the newness of life, a life shaped by the love and mission of Jesus.
As we prepare for Easter, we reflect on Jesus—the first sent one. Before His public ministry, Jesus entered a season of preparation. For 40 days, He walked into the wilderness, a place of solitude, reflection, and fasting. But why would the sinless Son of God need preparation? What could He possibly need to repent from or change?
The word “repent” stems from the Greek word metanoia, meaning “a change of mind.” Jesus wasn’t repenting of sin; He was aligning His focus, stepping fully into His mission. His wilderness experience wasn’t about turning away from wrong but preparing His heart and mind for the monumental task ahead—bringing the gospel to the world.
In the wilderness, Jesus faced temptation, but He also received affirmation from the Father. “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased”. He was strengthened, not just for Himself, but for His mission. His journey was always directed toward Jerusalem, the cross, and ultimately, the empty tomb. He understood the cost—the suffering and death—but He also held firmly to the hope of resurrection and the salvation it would bring to humanity.
As we enter these 40 days of Easter Preparation, we are invited to join Jesus in this sacred journey. Like Him, we’re called to a time of self-reflection, repentance—not from sin alone, but from anything that distracts us from our mission. We’re called to metanoia, to align our minds and hearts with God’s purpose.
This season is not just about looking inward; it’s about looking outward. We’re reminded that our preparation is for a mission. It’s a time to weigh the cost of discipleship, yes, but also to remember the joy and the purpose of it—to live and share the gospel, to carry the good news of Jesus’ love and life to the world.
We follow Jesus into the wilderness, into moments of solitude and prayer. We walk with Him toward Jerusalem, through the pain and triumph of Gethsemane, and finally, to the cross. Each step is a reminder that our mission is not our own—it’s rooted in His.
This season is a time to recommit our “yes” to God. To say yes to His call, yes to His mission, and yes to the hope of resurrection. It’s a time to reflect on how we, as His followers, are sent into the world to embody and share His love.
So, as we journey through these days of Easter Preparation, let’s embrace this time as a sacred opportunity. Let’s prepare our hearts, not just for Easter, but for the mission God has called us to. Let’s be reminded that just as Jesus was sent, we too are sent—to live and share the gospel, to bring hope and life to a world in need. Here are some ways we can join Jesus in living sent:
- Embrace Repentance (Metanoia): Use this season to identify areas in your life where God is calling for a change of heart and mind. What patterns, thoughts, or actions need to align more closely with His will?
- Seek Renewal in Mission: Renew your commitment to the mission of sharing God’s love. In what ways can you embody the hope of the resurrection in your daily life, bringing light and life to those around you?
- Walk in Solidarity with Jesus: As Jesus walked this path to Jerusalem, reflect on how you can walk with Him through challenges, offering your struggles and hopes in alignment with His mission of redemption.
May God bless you as you walk with Jesus through this season of preparation, reflection, and mission, allowing His love to renew and guide you in every step.
