Another week has gone by

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 Ash Wednesday 2026 is here and it really couldn't come at a better time for me.  If I can get into a mood and a mode that I normally would be, then I may be able to take down some of the demons that haunt me.  Let me explain why Lent is so important to me.

For many years I have been saying that I believe that the Crucifixion of Jesus is the single greatest and most profound event in human history.  Others have disagreed (in a healthy manner) with my view.  I have heard that Creation, Creation of Man, the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and parting of the Red Sea, the Incarnation, the Resurrection, and many others not part of Scripture.  While many of these I've mentioned are amazing and mind-blowing events, the Crucifixion stands above them all.  It's not about man's part in the event, but simply on Jesus' part.  

Jesus, upon being born and persecuted practically from the beginning simply finds the courage each day to go out to the people and try again to turn people's hearts towards the Father.  He does pretty well with many people but when it comes to the authorities, there is just hardness in their hearts.  And Jesus continues to try through thick and thin to no avail in the end.  The authorities are even able to turn the crowds against Jesus.  In the end, the authorities arrest Him, turn Him over to Rome, and reluctantly, Pontius Pilate orders Him to be crucified.  Jesus even probably had Pilate convinced, but out of fear, he gave the order anyhow.

Could Jesus have stopped all of this from happening?  Of course.  He knew there was going to be intense pain in being crucified, let alone being flogged and having thorns stuck into his skull.  But Jesus had already prayed and pleaded with the Father "there must be another way."  But Jesus obeys the Father's will and freely goes to His demise.  As a human being, He was terrified; as the Son of God, He trusted the Father.

And on top of that, He forgave those who put him to death.

The Incarnation, Jesus had no control over -- the Resurrection was the Father's promise kept.  The Crucifixion was Jesus' choice to obey.

I hope and pray I look to Jesus more and more in my times of doubt (my biggest demon).

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