March 2nd

1. We’ve now entered the season of Lent, which started last Wednesday, Ash Wednesday. You might be wondering, ‘What’s Lent all about?’ Simply put, it’s a 40-day period leading up to Easter, the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Think of Lent as a time to pause and reflect. Traditionally, Christians have used this time for fasting, prayer, and giving to those in need. These practices help us focus on our relationship with God. Why 40 days? It reminds us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, preparing for his ministry. Over time, Christians started observing this period, and it became a formal part of our tradition. In the past, Lent involved very strict fasting, eating only one simple meal a day (except on Sundays). We don’t necessarily follow those exact rules today. But we can still understand the heart of Lent: it’s about taking time to think deeply about our faith. So, from now until Easter, we’ll be focusing on Jesus Christ. We’ll explore why God sent him to be our Savior and Lord, and what that means for our lives.

Joel 2:12–14 NASB 2020

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping, and mourning; And tear your heart and not merely your garments.” Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in mercy And relenting of catastrophe. Who knows, He might turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him, Resulting in a grain offering and a drink offering For the Lord your God.

Joel 2:15–17 NASB 2020

Blow a trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and the nursing infants. Have the groom come out of his room And the bride out of her bridal chamber. Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, “Spare Your people, Lord, And do not make Your inheritance a disgrace, With the nations jeering at them. Why should those among the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?’ ”

2. As I already mentioned the meaning of Lent, its major theme is Repentance. However, when Lent focuses on the Repentance, it is not about morally modification. Today, we'll read some Bible verses about repentance. Before we start, let's understand what repentance means. In the Bible, repentance means turning away from sin and turning back to God. It's more than just feeling sorry; real repentance changes your mind, which changes your heart, and then changes how you act.

Joel 2:12–13 NLT

That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.

3. The prophet Joel talks about what repentance means: turning to God right now, giving him our hearts, and showing true sadness in our hearts instead of just ripping our clothes. I remember my first farm visit in Saskatchewan. A new friend invited us to their place. When we asked for the address, they said there wasn't one. I didn't know what that meant. They told us to drive to a gas station in Preeceville, then turn towards Buchanan. So far, so good. But then they said, 'Go straight for 5 miles, you'll see a stone building, turn right, and drive 12 miles.' We got lost. It didn't make sense! We couldn't find the place, so we went back to the gas station. We called them, and they came to get us. We followed them to the farm.

4. Whenever I think about repentance, I remember that farm visit. If we get lost, we should go back to where we started. That's the easiest way to find our way again. And if we don't know where to go, we need to find someone to help us. That's the basic idea of repentance.

Revelation 2:1–3 ESV

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

Revelation 2:4–7 ESV

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

5. The church in Ephesus, in the book of Revelation, shows us why and how we should turn back to God. This part of the Bible explains that they lost their love and went the wrong way. The Ephesus church only cared about what they did for others. For example, they thought they were fine because they helped their community, assisted people in need, and gave money to missionaries. But Jesus disagreed. He cared more about what was in their hearts.

6. Jesus tells us to turn back from where we went wrong and do the things we did at the beginning. We know from experience that going back to the point where we made mistakes is the only way to fix them, just as Jesus taught through John. So, Lent shows us where we've gone wrong in God's eyes. Regarding changing our direction, the New Testament's teachings are similar and even stronger. The New Testament teaches not only to change direction but to live and walk in that new direction, away from our old way. This is a new life, a new direction with God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT

So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

7. When Paul wrote his letters, his purpose was very clear. We can generally divide his letters into two parts. First, he wanted people to understand and accept their new identity in God. Second, he wanted them to live their lives according to this new identity in Jesus Christ. For example, Romans chapters 1 through 8 discuss the new identity God gives us, and Romans chapters 9 through 16 explain how to live this new life in Jesus Christ. In this section, Paul sometimes mentions being citizens of God's Kingdom. Ephesians, Philippians, and all his letters follow this same pattern. Now, in 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul uses a very strong word: 'Ambassador.' An ambassador is someone who represents their country in another country. If someone attacks an ambassador, it could be seen as an attack on the country itself. When Paul uses the word 'Ambassador,' he wasn't trying to claim power. Instead, he wanted to emphasize what a Christian's identity is. We are people who show God's Kingdom through our lives. This means that those who have turned away from sin belong to God, and they show God's Kingdom through their new life in Christ.

8. A friend told me I'm not a good ambassador for South Korea. They said I can't represent them because I'm shorter than they are. That's true. Since I've lived in Saskatchewan, I've realized people might see me as a representative of South Korea, and that could give them the wrong impression. Because I'm South Korean, people assume I know everything about South Korean news. When political issues come up, they ask me right away. But I don't know, and I'm not even interested in Korean news anymore, since I've lived in Canada for 16 years. Still, I've become a kind of representative of South Korea here in Saskatchewan.

9. The season of Lent clearly shows us how we can understand our new identity. God gives us new life and identity in Christ when we believe in Him. This is God's free gift of grace. Through this grace, we become God's ambassadors, representing Him. Then, with the Spirit's help, we can live out our new life. Understanding our new identity and perspective isn't about just changing our behavior; it's about opening our hearts to God. God accepts a humble and repentant heart. God looks for humility and repentance, not hypocrisy.

Matthew 6:1–2 NKJV

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 6:3–4 NKJV

But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.

10. The heart of repentance does not focus on their semblance. Instead, they want to show their painful heart. They had struggled with their life's problems and matters like the prodigal son. They have been seeking the Lord because they lost their ways. So, the humble heart can find only God and His way.  Therefore, the only humble heart who focuses on God and relies on the help of the Spirit can pray like this. 

Matthew 6:7–10 NIV

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:11–14 NIV

Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

11. Repentance means turning our minds to God and following His call and commands, believing in Christ. God shows us His grace, and this grace wakes us up. Through this grace, we see our wrong paths. Then, with the Spirit's help, we change our paths. Finally, we follow God on a new path and with a new identity in Christ. So, let's ask God to wake us up with His grace. And then, let's ask the Spirit to help us live and walk in this new way and with this new identity in Christ.

Podcast by notebookLM (Google)

Study Guide

This study guide is designed to help you review and understand the key concepts presented in "March 2nd 2025". It includes short answer questions, essay questions, and a glossary of key terms.

Quiz: Short Answer Questions

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

• What is the purpose of Lent, according to the text?

• Why is the number 40 significant in the context of Lent?

• Explain the biblical meaning of "repentance" as described in the text.

• What is the key message from the story of the church in Ephesus regarding repentance?

• How does Paul describe the role of Christians using the term "Ambassador" in 2 Corinthians 5:20?

• How does the author's experience in Saskatchewan illustrate the concept of repentance?

• How does understanding our new identity relate to changing our behavior?

• According to the text, what characteristics does God look for in people?

• How does grace relate to repentance?

• According to Matthew 7:13-14, what is the narrow gate?

Quiz: Answer Key

• The purpose of Lent is a 40-day period of reflection leading up to Easter, used for fasting, prayer, and giving to those in need to focus on our relationship with God. It's a time to think deeply about our faith and explore why God sent Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

• The number 40 is significant because it reminds us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, preparing for his ministry. It symbolizes a period of testing, preparation, and spiritual focus.

• In the Bible, repentance means turning away from sin and turning back to God. It involves a change of mind, heart, and actions, demonstrating a genuine desire to align oneself with God's will.

• The message from the story of the church in Ephesus is that actions alone are not enough; God cares more about the condition of the heart. They lost their first love, and were told to remember, repent, and return to their original ways.

• Paul uses the term "Ambassador" to emphasize that Christians represent God's Kingdom through their lives and actions. They show God’s Kingdom through their new life in Christ, demonstrating their belonging to God after turning away from sin.

• The author's experience in Saskatchewan illustrates that if we get lost (spiritually), we should go back to where we started or seek help. Repentance is like turning back to the right path after going astray.

• Understanding our new identity isn't just about changing our behaviour, it's about opening our hearts to God and embracing the new life offered through Jesus.

• According to the text, God looks for humility and repentance, not hypocrisy. God seeks a humble and repentant heart, rather than outward displays of righteousness.

• Grace is seen as God's free gift that wakes us up and allows us to see our wrong paths. Through God's grace, we are able to change our ways with the help of the Spirit and follow God on a new path with a new identity in Christ.

• The narrow gate leads to life, and requires repentance and following God's path. It symbolizes the challenging but ultimately rewarding path of discipleship.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Lent: A 40-day period of reflection, fasting, prayer, and giving leading up to Easter in the Christian tradition.

• Repentance: Turning away from sin and turning back to God; a change of mind, heart, and actions.

• Ash Wednesday: The first day of Lent in Western Christian churches.

• Grace: God's unmerited favour and love freely given to humanity.

• Ambassador: A representative; in the context of the text, Christians are described as ambassadors representing God's Kingdom.

• Hypocrisy: The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs but behaving in a way that contradicts them.

• Disciple: A follower of Jesus Christ, dedicated to learning from and imitating Him.

• Salvation: Deliverance from sin and its consequences, typically achieved through faith in Jesus Christ.

• The Spirit: Commonly understood as The Holy Spirit. The third person of the Trinity, understood as one God in three persons.

• New Identity in Christ: The transformation and new life that believers receive through faith in Jesus Christ.