March 17, 2023

Episode 139: What is Lent?

25 minutes

What is Lent?

Lent is a 40-day period built around three traditional pillars: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It's a time of preparation for Easter when the Resurrection Jesus is celebrated. During Lent, prayer is made by studying the Bible, serving others by giving alms, and developing self-control by fasting.

It’s a 40-day period to commemorate the 40 days Christ spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, before beginning his public ministry.

Why is it observed in Christianity?

Lent is a period of self-discipline that is still commemorated by Christians all over the globe as a way to prepare us for Easter, which is considered the holiest day of the year as it commemorates Jesus's resurrection.

Living out Your Lent: 6 Perspectives of understanding the pillars of Lent

Perspective 1: Deception (Alms & Prayer)

[Jesus said in Matthew 6:1-6 NIV]

• POINT: Lent is a time to take off our masks and come as we are. Who we are is enough.

• Q1. What masks do we need to remove?

Perspective 2: Testing (Fasting, & Testing)

[Jesus was tested in the wilderness in Luke 4:1-13 NIV] …His responses to the devil:

1. “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone’.” vs. 4.

2. “It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only’.” vs. 8.

3. “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

• Lent is a time to test our steadfastness to trust in God in all things.

• Q2. What are we dealing with that is testing our trust in the OMNIS God?