(Watch Video Below)
Do you give something up for Lent? If so, do you give up something that you really desire, and going without it is difficult? Or are you like many Christians who don’t observe Lent in that way? Maybe you don’t observe Lent at all? Or maybe you don’t really understand what it’s all about.
First, let’s consider why this time period leading up to Easter Sunday is important in the life of a Christian. Then we’ll answer the question, how should we observe Lent?
What is Lent?
Lent is considered a “season” in the church. Under the Old Covenant, God prescribed “appointed times” for His people (Leviticus 23:4). These appointed times were observed by sacrificial offerings and festival celebrations, both of which demonstrated the people’s love for God and their desire to obey His commands. In addition, the offerings and festivals would direct their thoughts to God and bring to remembrance all that He had done for them and all that He had given to them.
The early church prescribed Lent with a similar purpose. Lent is an appointed or designated time, and it’s to be a season of preparation in a very similar way to the pre-Christmas season of Advent. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on Christmas Day. Lent begins 40 days before Easter, on a Wednesday that the church calls Ash Wednesday. Lent ends on the day of resurrection, Easter Sunday (note: the 40 days of Lent does not include Sundays).
Ash Wednesday
Historically, Ash Wednesday was a day of fasting, church attendance, and the imposition of ashes. Not all churches observe Ash Wednesday in this way, and many contemporary churches place little or no emphasis on Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday is observed primarily in more liturgical denominations, such as Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Anglican, and Roman Catholic. While some do not observe it as a day of fasting, many of these denominations hold services, and some administer ashes. The ashes are rubbed on the forehead in the sign of the cross, and a traditional liturgy is read, proclaiming, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These are God’s words in the book of Genesis, and they were repeated by Job, the psalmist, and King Solomon.
Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”
Job 34:15 All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust.
Psalm 104:29 You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
Ecclesiastes 3:20 All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.
The imposition of ashes on the forehead is meant to be a sign and a remembrance of man’s mortality. God created man (Adam) from the dust of the earth and because of Adam’s sin, the physical bodies of all humans will return to dust.
The symbol of the ash-drawn cross on the forehead has great significance also. It is a reminder that in Christ, we have been redeemed, and we are marked, or sealed, as His own (Ephesians 1:13).
What to do about Lent?
We must understand that the Bible does not command us to set aside a time called Lent. Nor does it command, or even suggest, that we engage in Lenten traditions. However, observing Lent can be very beneficial to spiritual growth.
Just as Advent is a time in which we anticipate and prepare for our annual celebration of the birth of Jesus, Lent is intended to be a time of preparation and anticipation of our celebration of the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Both Advent and Lent turn our eyes upon Jesus and cause us to reflect on His great love — demonstrated first when Jesus left Heaven and came to earth to dwell among men and then when Jesus offered Himself for our sins.
Lenten Sacrifice
In addition to being a time of reflection on God, remembrance of what Jesus has done, and preparation for Easter, Lent is also observed by many as a time of spiritual discipline or a time of moderation of fleshly desires. The practice of giving up something for Lent is meant to be understood as a sacrifice.
Christians choose something they desire and enjoy and impose self-denial of it for the 40 days of Lent. Often, that which is given up is a favorite food or activity. This is meant to create a tangible feeling of sacrifice and self-denial. The practice also teaches patience and endurance when one is tempted to give in to their own desires but instead chooses to wait until Easter.
Observing Lent
If you decide to give up something for Lent, allow your desire for it to be a “trigger” — a trigger that will bring to remembrance what Jesus gave up for you.
Perhaps you don’t want to give up something. That’s okay too. God won’t love you any less. His love for you is not contingent on what you do. His love for you is based on who you belong to — Jesus! Because you have put your faith in Jesus and trusted in His redeeming work, you have been saved and belong to Jesus. Therefore, God loves you fully and eternally.
Remember that what God really desires, more than any giving-up of things, is our giving-up of our hearts to Him. That’s the best way to observe Lent.
Preparing for Easter
During the 40 days of Lent, let’s prepare our hearts to remember Jesus’ last days on earth. Let’s remember how He taught about God’s will and ways and how He ministered to the people. Remember, also, who Jesus is and all that He has done (Download our free Get Ready for Lent: 40 Titles for 40 Days).
Let’s set our eyes on the journey that Jesus made to the cross. Let’s remember that He went to the cross, took our sins upon Himself, and gave His life to pay for them. Remember that God poured out His wrath on Jesus in judgment for our sins. Jesus was the innocent man, the sinless Lamb of God, the Saviour who took our place. As Christians, we have been washed clean by the blood of Jesus (Revelation 1:5), and we are clothed in His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, when we stand before the Just Judge, we will appear In Christ, and we will be found worthy.
Keep Looking Up
However you choose to observe Lent, let it be a time of deeper reflection on God and a time of thanksgiving and joy. Be thankful for your Saviour and be joyful in the knowledge that you have eternal life with Him.
We can’t earn more of Jesus’ love by giving up our favorite food or activity, and we won’t lose any of His love if we choose not to do so. But we can enrich our faith and deepen our love for Jesus by spending more time in His presence (in prayer) and in His Word.
Summary
Lent is about looking forward to what’s coming — Resurrection Sunday. Lent is a special time for remembering:
- who God is — merciful and gracious
- what God has done for you — He sent His Son to save you; and
- who you are in Christ — redeemed, blessed, and sealed (marked) as His own.
Just as we look forward to Christmas during Advent, and we look forward to Easter during Lent, may we live our lives looking forward to another glorious day. Jesus went to the cross for the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2) . And when we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, and our hearts devoted to Him, we will live our lives for the joy that is set before us…the glory that is yet to come.
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Download ***Lent: 40 Titles for 40 Days*** (a checklist of 40 Titles of Jesus for Lenten Devotions)
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