An Introduction to Lent (Devotional)
“...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11 (ESV)
What is Lent? And what does Lent mean for us as Christians? Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and reflection spanning from Ash Wednesday to Holy (or “Maundy”) Thursday. This season of the year allows Christians like us to enter into a fast, thereby sharing in Christ’s suffering while preparing our hearts and minds for Good Friday and Easter Sunday celebrations.
The Bible has given us two examples of fasting for 40 days that mirror each other and inform how we, as believers, can approach a 40-day fast. The first is in Exodus 34:28. Moses went up Mount Sinai to receive the words of the covenant. During this time, Moses neither ate nor drank for 40 days. Fast forward to the New Testament, where we find Jesus being led by the Spirit into the Wilderness in Matthew 4:1-2, during which He was tempted for 40 days and 40 nights.
We can draw several parallels from these two stories, but what I find interesting is what results from these times of fasting from food (and even water). Moses fasts and receives the word from the Lord, and this new Law is sent out into the world through the people of Israel. Jesus fasts and then ascends a mountain, not to abolish the Law that was given to Moses, but to fulfill it; and this Word made flesh goes out into the world through His disciples.
So, the Lenten season brings us an opportunity as a church to enter into Jesus’s afflictions, fasting not for 40 days and 40 nights but perhaps a shorter time, focusing on prayer and on serving a Lord who’s been there, too. No matter how long we decide to fast, we can pray expectantly that Jesus sees us in our afflicted state and understands. And while we wait for the end of our fast, we pray that we will know Him more deeply in return, hoping in the power of the resurrection and becoming more and more like Him.
Heavenly Father, thank you for another Lenten season. We ask that you would see us in our afflicted states even now. Thank you that through our fasting we are reminded that Jesus once did the same. How sweet it is that we can share in this loss with Him! May that be the sweetness that satisfies us. In your name – Amen.
