As we continue this Lenten Series on Isaiah 61:1-3 we move to the next part: "to preach good news to the poor." As Jesus began his ministry, as recorded in Matthew and Mark, he speaks these words, "Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15) and "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!" (Matthew 4:17). Preaching the gospel (good news) and preaching repentance go hand-in-hand. Transformation begins as the Holy Spirit woos us to make the decision to "turn and go in a different direction (repent)."

During Ash Wednesday, we recognize our need to repent and believe the good news. We are also reminded that from "dust you have come and to dust you shall return." Being reminded of our mortality is not popular, yet is necessary for us to realize our spiritual poverty without Christ at the center of our lives. When I come to the recognition that I am powerless against sin without the Holy Spirit, then I must repent of my self-sovereign ways and give myself fully unto Christ. Fasting or giving something up for Lent can only be a success as we allow the Holy Spirit to empower us to overcome the need for satiation that the thing we have fasted used to fill.

As we repent and believe the good news, we have a message to share of how Christ has moved us from death into life. It is no longer mental platitudes where we speak of something that "can happen," but it becomes something (transformation) that "has happened." As the Spirit comes upon us, we become witnesses and we are called to preach the good news to the poor.

Do you have a witness to share with the people around you? Do you sense the power of the Spirit is upon you that you might proclaim the good news? Are you spiritually poor and need of the good news to be active in your life? Begin even now to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, and then share this experience with everyone around you.

Prayer: Jesus, you did not preach mental platitudes that asked for people to act when you were sitting idly by. You shared your life with us and shared your experiences of the Heavenly Father, encouraging us to experience the same relationship. Give us the knowledge of your great love for us and encourage us to preach the good news to the poor. Amen.