This is one way to think of the season of Lent, our yearly pilgrimage with Jesus through the wilderness of temptation and challenge, into the world of hurting, seeking humanity and to the cross of self-sacrifice. It is surely the most challenging season in the Christian year but also the most rewarding for those who make the effort.
Sacrifice is the word often associated with Lent, a tough word indeed, and those Lenten sacrifices usually mentioned are prayer, penitence and fasting. Let me say from experience that none of these practices is particularly difficult: As Christians we pray every day; we confess our sins on a more or less regular basis; we may even give up the occasional meal as a prayerful reminder of those who are in need.
Sacrifice is the word often associated with Lent, a tough word indeed, and those Lenten sacrifices usually mentioned are prayer, penitence and fasting. Let me say from experience that none of these practices is particularly difficult: As Christians we pray every day; we confess our sins on a more or less regular basis; we may even give up the occasional meal as a prayerful reminder of those who are in need.
We probably do these things almost without a second thought – and that is the point precisely: During Lent – if we wish to walk closely in the presence of Christ – we will pay careful attention to the sacrifices we make on behalf of Christ and His people. That is:
We will make space for careful, unhurried prayer, remembering the needs great and small of a suffering world. Whatever our prayer, we remind ourselves that we are in God’s
holy presence.
We will daily reflect upon our shortcomings, remembering that we have let God and our neighbor down – but never losing confidence in God’s mercy.
We will consume with care our daily bread. Fasting, after all, is not really about food. Rather, it is about the spirit in which we receive God’s gifts. Are we greedy? Selfish? Thoughtless? During Lent, we intentionally model our behavior after Christ Jesus.
Lent is one of God’s most gracious gifts to His people. Could you walk in Jesus’ footsteps for 40 days? Of course you could! Will you walk in Jesus’ footsteps for 40 days?
-Pastor Mark
We will make space for careful, unhurried prayer, remembering the needs great and small of a suffering world. Whatever our prayer, we remind ourselves that we are in God’s
holy presence.
We will daily reflect upon our shortcomings, remembering that we have let God and our neighbor down – but never losing confidence in God’s mercy.
We will consume with care our daily bread. Fasting, after all, is not really about food. Rather, it is about the spirit in which we receive God’s gifts. Are we greedy? Selfish? Thoughtless? During Lent, we intentionally model our behavior after Christ Jesus.
Lent is one of God’s most gracious gifts to His people. Could you walk in Jesus’ footsteps for 40 days? Of course you could! Will you walk in Jesus’ footsteps for 40 days?
-Pastor Mark
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