Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent is a 40-day journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter not counting Sundays. For many, it is a time of self-examination and repentance—a time of remembering the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In recent weeks, I’ve been thinking about a phrase that Jesus used …
Whoever has ears to listen should pay attention! (CEB)
This, or a similar phrase, appears (at least) six times in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. A similar phrase is used seven times Revelation 2-3, once in each of Jesus’ messages to the seven churches in Revelation …
If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. (CEB)
In each case, Jesus seems to be saying, “Listen up. This is important. Don’t miss this. Pay attention!”
Apparently, this is going to be an important word at Centre Grove this year. I’m teaching through Revelation 2-3—Jesus’ messages to the seven churches in Revelation—during Lent. I also have a series on “hearing God” on the drawing board for this fall.
It’s certainly a word I want to hear during this Lenten season. I don’t want to miss what God is saying. I want to pay attention!