What’s So Important about Lent Anyway?

 

    Lent (which always begins 47 days before Easter Sunday) begins on February 22.  Why do the dates vary so widely from year to year?  Because Easter Sunday can fall any time from March 22 to April 25.  Here's the reason: Jesus died on Passover, which was observed on the first full moon following the spring equinox.  Easter Sunday is thus the first Sunday after that full moon.  And Lent counts backwards from Easter to include 40 days plus Sundays.

   Why 40 days?  Because Jesus fasted 40 days in the desert; the Hebrews wandered for 40 years in the wilderness; the world was flooded for 40 days in the time of Noah … Each was a period of preparation for what was to follow.  This is why early Christians began setting aside time before Easter to prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection.

   These are meant to be days of solemnity and reflection, so many fast from something during Lent.  Some give up sweets; others restrict their use of technology (TV, Facebook, etc).  Sundays are typically excluded from fasting, since they are celebrations of the risen Christ.

 

      Others, when they “give something up,” they also “take something on” – such as committing to intercessory prayer for a variety of people and places, or taking on acts of service, justice, and love that bear witness to their faith in Christ each week throughout Lent.  There are countless ways that we, as Christians, can deny ourselves and embody sacrifice, as we remember and reflect upon the One who modeled the way for us – Who made the greatest of sacrifices.  

 

    Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, during which many churches mark believers with ashes from the previous year's Palm Sunday palm leaves.  As a time that speaks of our mortality and our need of the Savior, we invite you, and encourage you to invite others, to join us for our Ash Wednesday Service on Feb. 22 at 6:30pm.

 

    Why is Lent relevant for the Christian, whatever their church background may be? 

Here are a few key reasons: 1. We need to live in community with the larger body of Christ.  2. We cannot fully appreciate Jesus' resurrection unless we have experienced some of His suffering.  3. Our souls need a period each year for intentional spiritual introspection and contemplation.  John Stott, the great pastor and scholar, set aside an hour a day, a day a week, and a week a year to be alone with his Father. “Just as students need a spring break, so do souls.”

 

    As we enter the season of Lent, in joy and sorrow, we proclaim, remember, and respond to the atoning death of Christ.  This is a time of preparation – recognizing our need for mercy and forgiveness, which is offered to us in Christ through His all-sufficient sacrifice.  We invite you to join us on this journey to the Cross, and ultimately, the Empty Tomb!

 

                        Pastor Chris

                        Purge Pride, Teach Truth, Live Love