Significance of Lent
For
centuries, revolving around the Exodus event, Jews have followed a prescribed religious
calendar called a “lectionary.” The
earliest Jewish Christians kept the
idea of a lectionary, but because of Jesus, they changed the calendar. The
life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus now formed the framework of their year. According to the
lectionary, time isn’t measured according to the length of the solar calendar
(Romans) nor the Exodus (Jews); it is measured according to the life of Jesus. This allows a Christian
to re-live the narrative of Christ-event
every year.
Lent is a time of spiritual preparation. Lent is a season of 40 days
(excluding Sundays) developed to prepare for the holiest season of the church
calendar: Resurrection Sunday and
the six weeks of Easter Season (in Northumbrian Old English, the month
of April was named after the goddess, Eostre,
hence our word, “Easter”). Ash Wednesday
(March 5) is the first day of Lent. Because Lent typically involves various
kinds of fasting, people often have
one last, big meal the night before Lent begins. Thus began the tradition of Fat
Tuesday (in French, it’s “Mardi Gras”). Here are a few reasons why
celebrating Lent can aid you in your spiritual growth.
First, Lent
reminds us of the terrible situation we
were in before Jesus. You know how when you were a kid, your parents always bored you with
those stories of, “I remember when . . .” or “There was a time when I didn’t
have all these things”? The significance of those stories is that it recalls a
time when things were much worse. It helps us remember of how far God has
brought us. Lent is like that. It reminds us of the terrible condition of sin
that you and I were in prior to being saved in the risen Jesus. It’s always
healthy for us to “remember our
spiritual roots.” Lent helps us remember always to include in our testimony a
story of “I remember when I was headed for destruction because of my sinful
condition.” In this way, Lent always
keeps us humble and eternally grateful for the awesome,
undeserving gift of a love relationship with the Father, Son, and Spirit. Have you forgotten how far God’s brought you?
Second, Lent
reminds us of the terrible consequences
of sin. As the Bible demonstrates, sin is anything we do that breaks down the love
relationship that we are designed to share with the Trinity and our neighbor. Lent
reminds us that sin is a terrible, destructive power in our lives. Before
Jesus, you and I were slaves to sin. After Jesus, we are no longer slaves to
sin (Rom 6:6), but repeatedly hampered by it (as Hebrews 12:1 says, it’s like
a heavy weight that bogs us down). As Christians, Lent reminds us of the absolute necessity of confession and
repentance. Lent reminds us of how we should be repulsed by any sin, and the necessity of being in step with the
Spirit as He transforms us into the image of the Son. Do you have any sins that you’ve allowed to rule in your life?
Third, Lent reminds
us of the necessity of contrition and self-control.
It is common to perform some form of fasting (= abstaining from food and/or
water) during this season. Fasting performs two functions: (1) it demonstrates contrition because we
abandon something that we enjoy; (2) it helps us practice self-control. The assumption is that if I can say no to
sleep or food or drink, then surely I can say no to various sins. So, we sacrifice various necessities and pleasures
to demonstrate contrition and practice self-control. We need self-control
because we tend to make idols out of nearly everything. Lent reminds us not to cling
too tightly to anything or anyone other than God. Do you have idols that need to die? What do you need to sacrifice?
When you’re
swimming deep in water and realize you’re almost out of air, a terrible
desperation comes over you. Panic seizes you. You kick your legs and stroke
your arms in a fury to the top. A foot of water feels like a mile. And when you
burst through the top, heart palpitating and adrenaline streaming through your
veins, you take the biggest gulp of air you’ve ever taken. The sense of safety,
celebration, and peace that comes over you after the ordeal can be
overwhelming.
Lent is the
necessary race to the water’s surface. Join with me in this Season of Lent. And
together, when you and I make it to Resurrection Sunday, we will burst forth
into the glorious light and gulp in the air like never before.
What do I do now?
Good
question. To help prepare for Easter season, most Christians (1) give something
up and/or (2) do
something extra.
What
could I commit to give up? Anything
that brings you pleasure. Instead of doing that activity, focus on what Jesus gave up for
you. Practice self-control and apply that to all areas of your life.
This might
include Drunkenness, Gossip, Pornography, Complaining, Pessimism, Arguing,
Judging People, Cursing, Smoking,
Snacking, Instagram, Television, Newspaper, Eating, Facebook, Soda, Chocolate, Coffee, Sarcasm, Your pillow, Hot
showers, Wasted time on the internet, Alcohol, Gum, etc.
What could I commit to doing? Anything that makes you a better disciple.
This might
include Praying, Daily Bible Devotional, Joining a Bible study, Journal while
praying, Work on specific virtues, Listen only to Christian music, Don’t eat
until you’ve prayed and read your Bible, Donate the money you would have spent
on whatever you’re fasting from, Spend the time you would have spent watching
TV with your family, Visit a nursing home, Invite as many people as you can
over to dinner (especially those who couldn’t host you), Take someone to lunch
every day, Tell someone about Jesus every day, Read a theological book, Attend
every church event available, Go on a mission trip, Volunteer, etc.
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