Kingdom Bites

Although, the word “Lent” is not found in the Bible, nor are we commanded to observe this season, I believe this is an important time in the life of the Christian and the Church. Let’s take a moment and explore this special time.

Lent is the forty-day season of preparation before Easter. It starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. The Lenten season is generally referred to as being 40 days long (which mirrors Christ’s time of fasting and prayer in the wilderness, Matthew 4:1-11) even though it is spans 46 days, because Sundays are generally not counted as part of the season.  

Lent is designed to be a season of fasting, self-denial, Christian growth, penitence, conversion, and simplicity. Lent comes from the Germanic word for springtime, and can be viewed as a “spiritual spring cleaning,” or a time for taking a spiritual inventory and cleaning out those things which hinder our relationship with and service to Christ.

Lent is a time for serious self-examination. It is often a time spent in prayer, repentance, and fasting. In Scripture (see I Samuel 7:6, I Kings 21, and Ezra 8) fasting is often connected with times of repentance and prayer. 

Fasting often means abstaining from all food and drink for a period of time. However it can also mean going on a disciplined diet, or simply giving up anything that you normally consume. This reminds us Who is in control; and also reminds one to spend time in prayer when their belly growls or they see the things they have given up. 

Traditionally Catholics fast on Good Friday, and traditionally eat fish rather then other meat on Fridays during Lent. This tradition could stem from a couple of reasons. Some say that giving up meat was forgoing a luxury, as it was rare for most people to have. Others point to the early days of Christianity, they were forbidden to eat meat every Friday . 

Friday’s were chosen because this is the day that Christ died, and is the day (sixth) where God created animals. Some believed that abstaining from meat is a symbolic "stay of execution" for cows, pigs, and sheep; symbolizing how the cross saves us from eternal death. Good Friday is also considered a fast day, where one goes without the usual luxuries as a form of penance, purification and remembrance of God's laws. This idea has morphed into the large fish fries we see today.

In any case, Lent is a time for serious, disciplined self-examination, spent in prayer and repentance before the cross of Calvary. Where we are reminded of our sin and the sacrifice of our Savior. 

2 Corinthians 7:9–10 says, “Yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

Take time this season and consider how great our need for Christ is; and how His sacrifice completely met that need.

“Black Friday.” While the origin of the name may be debated, in our current culture Black Friday refers to the day after Thanksgiving. It’s the “official” start of the holiday shopping season and when stores offer unbelievable deals on select merchandise for a limited time. As a result, shoppers across the country deprive themselves of sleep, brave the cutting cold weather, and stand in line for hours waiting, hoping to find the deal of a lifetime.

Yet, the greatest deal of all time will not be found in any newspaper ads, or big box stores. It can never be gained by standing in line, it is not offered for only a few hours, nor is it in limited supply. Instead, this deal is found in the pages of the Bible.

Matthew 27 records it this way “From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"...And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.” 

On this “Back Friday” nearly 2000 years ago, an innocent man died a criminal's death. Sin was paid for and salvation secured by the shed blood and death of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:22-24 delivers this promise “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

This deal is truly the best ever offered. There are no gimmicks, fine print, limited offerings, or mail-in-rebates. Better yet, God’s supply never runs out, nor does he make us stand in long lines waiting to be served. Instead, this deal is offered freely to everyone, anywhere, at anytime. The value may be priceless, yet the cost to us is nothing. Simply trust and belief in Jesus Christ alone.

As the beloved Hymn says "Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain — He washed it white as snow."

Have you experienced the greatest deal of all time? The cleansing, life giving power of Jesus Christ? If not the offer has not expired and is still available for all who believe.

If you have, spend some time today reflecting on God’s great gift, and thanking him for it.

In the words of Bessie Sykes “Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul, Thank you, Lord, for making me whole; Thank you, Lord, for giving to me Thy great salvation so rich and free.”