Most of us are aware that on what is called “Ash Wednesday,” some of our friends may show up at work with “ashes” on their foreheads, sometimes appearing in the form of a cross. We probably realize that they have been to a service in their church, where their priest dipped his thumb into a vessel of some sort containing ashes, then swiped their forehead with that thumb—making a cross that they wore the rest of the day. Those of us who attend evangelical churches do not practice this custom and probably are not too familiar with it. When we hear of the approach of “Ash Wednesday,” we might well think of “Fat Tuesday,” the day before Ash Wednesday when, at notoriously famous places like New Orleans, there are what appear to be “orgies” of self-indulgence as people supposedly prepare to give up fatty foods and other “luxuries” for the 40 days of Lent—to identify with Jesus, who became poor so that we might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9)
The word for Lent comes from an old English word “lencten,” which means spring season. Lent is usually observed at that time of the year when the days begin to lengthen, about the 7th Wednesday before Easter, and it lasts until Good Friday. This year, it began February 14 and will end March 28.
The original idea was to set aside a period of a time of personal reflection concerning the events that led up to the crucifixion of Christ. “By observing 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days; a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter; a time of prayer and penance.” (Wikipedia)
During the time known as Lent, observers give up the enjoyment of something they cherish. It may be sweets, TV, meat, coffee, or some other valued food or habit. They typically “fast” on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, meaning they only eat one meal on those days. The sacrifice they make by giving up something that they like very much normally lasts for the duration of the Lenten season.
The “faithful” will begin this season by attending a service where they confess their sins and receive “absolution” from the same by their priest. This is known as the Sacrament of Penance, whereby one is released from the guilt and pain brought on by the commission of sins. They may be required to do certain indulgences, not in order to receive forgiveness but to restore wrongs done to persons who were hurt by their sins.
So, as noted, evangelical churches for the most part do not engage in any Lenten activities. The somber reflection on what Jesus suffered in providing our salvation on Calvary ought to be a daily occurrence of His followers. We do so by reading the wonderful words of His life and death in Scripture; by singing with His Body, the Church, great Hymns of the faith which tell the story of Jesus; by meditation and personal devotion in and through His Word; and by giving our ears and hearts to messages week after week that set forth our Savior in all of His perfections as the “Lamb of God” which taketh away the sins of the world.
All the trappings associated with Lent have been gathered together over the centuries by traditions, and they are not only confusing but unscriptural; in fact, they are anti-scriptural. Nothing in the Bible warrants our confession of sins to anyone but our High Priest, Jesus Christ, alone. Nothing in God’s Word indicates that a “cross” of ashes on our foreheads is in any way a spiritual exercise with biblical precedent; there is nothing Biblical about doing penance, or receiving from a man “absolution” from our sins, or doing “indulgences” as a means of making right any wrongs we have committed.
The above paragraph is an honest attempt to evaluate what our friends who embrace and practice Lenten traditions have been erroneously taught as truth concerning a right approach to the commemoration and celebration of Easter. “Fat Tuesday” is commonly recognized as a day to indulge the “flesh” in an ungodly manner. And giving up certain foods, or “luxuries,” for 40 days to identify with Christ’s fasting for 40 days and nights in the wilderness has nothing to do with Easter. In no way could giving up meat (or anything) for a day or two, or even for 40 days, identify us with what Christ suffered either in the wilderness or on the cross at Calvary.
Because Lent is a fairly common practice today, and because those of us who do not practice the keeping of Lent often do not understand the whys and wherefores of its traditions, I have chosen to write this post. Again, for those of you who do keep Lent who may read this, I have not attempted to offend you in any way. I hope I have fairly represented what you believe to be the reasons for your keeping of this season, and I trust I have challenged you to search the scriptures to compare what you believe about Lent—and how you keep it—with what God’s Word actually says about it. I am surely open to hearing your viewpoint and welcome your response and dialog.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim. 3:16,17)
YOU and GOD 