Lent: General Thoughts & Helps
I imagine you read the word “Lent” and you were filled with concerns or questions. My hope is to relieve you of those fears by providing a brief explanation on Lent. I also would like to share the broader implications of it in the life of a Christian and Doxa Church.
The Invitation of Lent
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4–5
Lent is a season on the liturgical calendar that precedes Good Friday and Easter. Sundays are not included in the practice of Lent because they serve as celebratory gatherings relishing the provisions of the Gospel. Lent serves as a set aside time for the Church to narrow its focus upon the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In other words, Lent is about the Gospel. Lent invites God’s people to ready their hearts for remembering Jesus’ suffering and Jesus’ resurrection.
Why 40 Days of Lent?
Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights. Exodus 24:17–18
The practice of Lent takes place over a forty day period that can be traced to the third and fourth centuries in Church history. Forty carries Biblical significance because of the forty years of Israel’s wilderness wanderings [Exodus 15:22-Numbers 22:1], giving of the Law to Moses on Sinai [Exodus 24:12-18], the flood narrative [Genesis 6-8], and Elijah’s journey to Mount Horeb [1 Kings 19:1-12]. Furthermore, we see the Lord Jesus fasting and His temptation in the wilderness for forty days [Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:9-12, Luke 4:1-13]. The forty days of Lent begin on Ash Wednesday and continues through Holy Week into Easter Sunday. Historically, the preparation period for Lent began with those desiring to be baptized, but eventually took on further meaning with the Church symbolically following Christ into the wilderness by fasting.
The Practice of Lent
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. Luke 9:23–24
The practice of Lent takes shape in a variety of ways. From a traditional standpoint, many practice fasting in observance of Lent, but the overall heart behind the Lent season is self-denial. Lent provides an intentional opportunity to empty ourselves with lesser, temporal things, so we might turn and be filled with greater things, namely, the good news of the Gospel.
How Should I Observe Lent?
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions…Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:1,4
Observing Lent is an issue of conscience, not command. Therefore, how one participates is something personal, decided upon prayerfully from their own time seeking the Lord. Observing Lent doesn’t make one better than someone who chooses not to observe, especially since our righteousness and sanctification are divine works of God enjoyed by faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Take time to pray and consider how you can approach this season and joyfully anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter.