Denise Gallichio

REFLECTION: (written by Dan Baker)

As we focus our thoughts more deeply on this Lenten season, consider today’s text. Matthew 4:17 states: “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” So, “from that time …” what exactly did happen?

Matthew has given us some beautiful details of Jesus and His ministry. Many key events including John the Baptizer having been arrested, Jesus had just spent 40 days being tempted by Satan in the wilderness, and lastly, Jesus’ ministry was now beginning. As Jesus begins his earthly mission, Matthew takes us back to a prophecy from Isaiah found in chapter 9, verse 2: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Early in my Christian experience, I associated repentance with guilt, fear, and shame. You may have had some of that same experience and perception. Repentance is a “turning back.” A turning back toward the God of love. In the act of repentance, we also allow God’s “Light” to reveal our shortcomings and our sin. John writes in chapter 1, verse 5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” He states in 1 John 1:5b “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” We are children of Light, and we live in the Light of transformation. Darkness cannot overcome the Light. As we allow the Light to shine deep in our hearts, the Light will reveal our dark places for the purpose of reflection and confession. It is not meant to lead us to despair, but rather to have us be transformed into living and loving like Jesus.

John also reminds us in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Yes, Jesus was fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy by bringing Light to those living along the sea of Galilee in Capernaum. That same Light is ours today, breaking through our darkness, transforming us, and allowing His Light to reflect on those around us. We are to be Light to the world.

RESPOND:

1. Can you think of a time in your life when you felt overpowered by darkness?
2. Are you still living in that darkness?
3. Darkness has no power over the Does your view of repentance include the purpose of transformation?

PRAYER:

Father of Light, I open my dark places to You. Please, allow Your Light to shine into those spaces, revealing my darkness in places I have never seen. Give me the grace to agree with You and allow Your transforming power to change me, letting Your Light shine brightly through me to those around me. I ask in the powerful name of Jesus, the Light of the World.

Sanctuary Lent 2023 Spotify Playlist

ROLL MY STONE by Orphan No More Co.

Father, Father won’t You roll my stone away
Father won’t You roll my stone
Father, I just wanna come back home again
I just wanna come back home

I spent so long learning to be strong
Only to find what I wanted all along
Was to be like a child again
To see like a child again
To be as free as a child again
To dream like a child again

I spent so long learning to stand tall
Only to find what happens when I fall
Into Your arms again
I’m learning to laugh again
I put the world on my shoulders but
I’ll put it back in Your palms again

I don’t wanna play the game any more
Where I live everyday like I’m earning a score
I just wanna learn and know for sure
That I’m loved by You and I can trust in You

RESPOND:

1. What words or phrases do you hear singing over you?
2. What words are you invited to sing over others today?

Sanctuary Lent 2023 Spotify Playlist

SCRIPTURE:

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17

TESTIMONY: (Written by Katie Jones)

A year ago I would have honestly taken this verse as a threat to my being. It would bring an anxious pit in my stomach; it would force me to examine my life and stir up heartache because of the broken relationship I had with God. Before I had my prodigal daughter return, repentance was heavy on my mind. It haunted me. It was something I strived for, but regardless of how hard I tried to turn away from my sin, I just couldn’t. I came up short every single time. I lived in fear of “the kingdom of heaven” and especially of Christ’s return. I became very fluent in the passages of scripture that condemned me. I was under the impression that God would abandon me if I couldn’t somehow fix myself and change my sinful ways. My main motive for repentance was fear. I remember being so heartbroken over wanting to repent, but oftentimes not feeling qualified to even say the words.

Then I met Jesus.

“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:15

In January 2022, I came to the end of my rope. I was exhausted from trying. I had heard testimonies of other people being delivered from sin, and I couldn’t understand how God would do it for them, yet wouldn’t do it for me. Eventually, I reached out to the church in desperation, and Jesus extended His hand to me through Heather. I began the journey of discipleship, and Jesus revealed His heart to me along the way. The most pivotal moment was realizing that there is no fear in love. I learned more of God’s unconditional love for me, and I finally realized that I am loved just as I am. God is not chasing me with punishment – He is pursuing me with love. There is no reason to fear because my debt has already been paid. I don’t have to strive to measure up or fix the mess I’ve made. The cross is for me, and it is enough for ALL my sin – past, present, and future.

Knowing and accepting God’s loving-kindness led me to true repentance. I now see this verse as an invitation rather than a threat. Jesus is inviting us into a relationship with Him as He walks alongside us as our resurrected Savior. His invitation is to freedom – a life without shame, fear, or condemnation. Repentance for me is the sound of chains breaking. I choose to accept Jesus’ invitation to repent in response to resting in the love He has for me.

RESPOND:

1. What brings you to repentance?
2. Have you fully embraced your identity as His beloved?
3. What stirs in your heart as you think of the kingdom of heaven?

PRAYER:

Jesus, I stand amazed by your unconditional love for us. The way you pursue us, time after time, shows the depth of your heart. As we turn from our sin and fix our eyes on you, help us to see your grace and forgiveness in a new light. I pray your love would penetrate our innermost being as we set aside this time to reflect on your sacrifice. May it lead us to a place of repentance in response to receiving your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sanctuary Lent 2023 Spotify Playlist

REPENT:

¹² When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. ¹³ Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— ¹⁴ to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
¹⁵ “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea,
beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
¹⁶ the people living in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:12-17

REFLECTION:

I notice Him talking with a small gathering of people. As I watch it appears He listens more than speaks. He smiles and even laughs, which surprises me, knowing His friend John has been put in prison and given a death sentence.

Everybody’s saying they’d heard a voice from heaven speak to Him when He was with John at the Jordan, but then He was gone for a while. It’s good to see Him again. Maybe He’s smiling because He hears from heaven? What must that be like?

Last night I heard Him say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” “Repentance” is a tired word around here. But there’s something different about the way He says it and what His invitation holds. Unlike some of the religious people that pass by here, he’s not judging or demanding or exacting or demeaning. His very presence – it’s the peace that emanates, it invites more than mere law-keeping or religious observance. His is an invitation to something bigger, something wonderful, something so very present, but something I’ve never heard or seen, but can only imagine.

RESPOND:

1. Where do you find yourself in the call to repentance?
2. How might you partner with Jesus in calling others to repentance?

PRAYER:

Jesus, I hear you inviting me, again. Inviting me to turn fully into your ever-present love. I want to believe and receive, again. To know this life, to know this love, to know you. Give me the strength to move past the trappings of religion and usher me, afresh and anew, into relationship with you today.

Sanctuary Lent 2023 Spotify Playlist