It is hard to believe that Christmas is gone and we are now into the season of Epiphany. It is worth careful remembering that this period is one in which we reflect the gospel coming to gentiles, non-believers. In all probability the wise men were followers of Zoroaster. Their coming to Christ is a call and claim on us to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. This is a great season to emphasize evangelistic outreach in offering Christ.
While we are living the Epiphany, the light coming to the gentiles, this is also a great time to prepare for the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday is February 13th; just a month from now. There are many wonderful ways to use this great season of the Christian year as a time of deepening our walk with Christ. I invite you to prayerfully make your preparations for Lent now.
If you have not already made plans, allow me to suggest for Pastors/preachers, Sunday School class teachers and all others to consider Rev. Adam Hamilton’s new book The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus. It is the third volume of a three-volume Bible study series on the life of Jesus.
The promotional blurb says it well. “Once again, Hamilton approaches his subject matter with thoughtfulness and wisdom in this third volume of his study series on the life of Christ – just as he did with Jesus’ crucifixion in 24 Hours That Changed the World and Jesus’ birth in The Journey.
Using historical information, archeological data, and signature stories of faith, Hamilton follows in the footsteps of Jesus, examining the people he loved, the healing he brought, the parables he taught, and the enemies he made.” (taken from a Cokesbury promo postcard regarding The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus by Adam Hamilton)
Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. A primary path to such discipleship is to walk with Christ to the cross and beyond.
Tuesday Jolynn and I will leave with 200 other pilgrims on a journey to the Holy Land. I covet your prayers.