Travel with me to Ephesus this Lent

Ancient forum and roadway where Paul would have walked and preached.

Walk with me during Lent through the book of Ephesians as we meditatively think about all that we have and are in Christ. Let’s look at the unity of the body of believers growing there as Paul preached and taught for 2 years. Later John also came to Ephesus and lived among the believers. We will see the aspects of who we are in Christ, what place the body of believers called the church is to God and finish with the wonderful words about the armor available to us in Christ. Each day we will see the amazing provisions and position we have because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead.

As we begin this Ash Wednesday, let’s look at Ephesians 1:1-2. Paul introduces himself in the letter, tells who he’s writing to and pronounces a preliminary greeting that is typical of his writing.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

²Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Put yourself in Ephesus and become one of the believers who received this letter from the Apostle Paul. He is addressing you as a saint, a faithful believer and he is sending greetings of grace and peace from God. Do you think of yourself as a saint? The New Testament repeatedly refers to believers as ‘saints’. He also attributes faithfulness to their walk of faith. How would you describe your daily walk with Jesus? Are you faithful? Paul also sends you grace, which is God’s unmerited favor, and His peace. What precious gifts these are. How will you use or experience God’s favor today? Will you rest in His peace? As Ephesians opens we see that because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can be His saints and faithfully, walk in His grace and experiencing His peace. Praise God!

Walk with me towards the cross, contemplating our sinfulness and His blameless character. Join me in daily meditation and prayer for these coming 40 days of repentance and focus on who God desires us to be because of Jesus and His sacrifice.