Greetings Church Family:

We are now in the beginning of Lent season and so for this month’s Pastor’s Corner I would like to answer some questions regarding Lent.

What is Lent?

Lent is 40 days long and is the six-week season that leads up to Easter. The Lenten season is a preparation for commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. Ash Wednesday starts Lent with a day of remembering our humanity, the reality of death, and the need for repentance. Churches symbolize this by putting ashes on foreheads, often in the shape of a cross, and reciting “ashes to ashes dust to dust”. From its start date on Ash Wednesday to its conclusion on Easter Sunday, Lent has been a customary time for fasting, giving up something. Lent invites us to prepare our minds and hearts for glorifying Jesus life, death and resurrection.

Lent’s Meaning and Purpose:

Lent is meant to be a time of repentance. A humble understanding of knowing that we are all born with the curse of sin and that repentance is required. The purpose of Lent is to fully recognize our brokenness as humans and the need for a Savior. The time period of Lent allows us to reflect and open our hearts to Jesus.

Why is Lent 40 Days Long?

The forty days of Lent not counting Sundays honor the period of time similar to multiple stories in the Bible:

  • Jesus retreated into the wilderness, where He fasted 40 days and was tempted by the devil ( Matthew  4: 1-2. Mark 1: 12-13, Luke 4: 1-2).
  • The Hebrew people wandered 40 years in the desert while traveling to the Promised Land ( Numbers 14: 33)
  • Jonah’s prophecy of judgement gave 40 days to the city of Ninevah in which to repent or be destroyed ( Jonah 3:4)
  • Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai with God (Exodus 24: 18)
  • Elijah spent 40 days and nights walking to Mount Horeb ( 1 Kings 19:8)

Observing Lent and What To Give Up for Lent:

Repent of Sin.

Identify a sinful activity that keeps coming up in your life, something you know you need to work on. If you can’t think of one, pray and ask God if there is any sin he wants you to know about.

Set a Prayer Time:

If you don’t already, pick a time each day, or a day of the week, to spend time with God in prayer. If you want a Bible passage to mediate on during this time, consider reading the passion story or something else Lent related.

Choose Something to Fast From:

Fasting is traditionally associated with food, but you can fast from anything you ordinarily devote lots of time to. Use the time you normally spend on those activities in prayer or contemplation.

Enjoy Your Lent Season.

Pastor Mark

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