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Gary G. Hoag
“Fasting Day 14 of 40 | Third Thursday of Lent “After His suffering, He presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive.”— Acts 1:3
Fasting Day 14 of 40 | Third Thursday of Lent
“After His suffering, He presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.’” Acts 1:3
After His resurrection, Jesus proved that His suffering defeated death by appearing to many over forty days. He also announced that His life inaugurated the kingdom of God. But it did not take long for people to start doubting. Early in the second century, Ignatius of Antioch, a disciple of John the apostle of Jesus, wrote this in To the Magnesians.
“I want to protect you from being snagged by the fish hooks of worthless ideas. You should be fully convinced of the birth and suffering and resurrection that occurred in the time of the governor Pontius Pilate. These things were truly and certainly done by Jesus Christ, our hope. From this hope may none of you ever turn away.”
Ignatius of Antioch (c. 35-c.107) in To the Magnesians 11.1 in The Apostolic Fathers I, ed. by Bart D. Ehrman (LCL 24; Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2003).
Watch out for fish hooks of worthless ideas! The world is filled with them. They pull us away from Jesus, who is only idea worth making the object of our hope. Where do you place your hope? The world tells us to put it in money. Part of the reason we practice giving during Lent is to demonstrate where we place our hope.
Jesus, help me grow in giving and keep my hope in You. Amen.
Take time to assess your giving this past year. Make a list. Some do this to prepare to pay taxes. Sit with the Holy Spirit and your list. Ask how might you grow your giving during Lent and after to make known the kingdom of God to the world? And to keep your hope in Jesus.
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