Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/93

Contributor - Roeland A. Hartmans

Title - Why Lent?

Topic - Lent

This is the time of the year which, in many churches, is known as Lent. It is the period of time before Easter which has been set aside to emphasize and think on the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, through the ages, and in some circles now, it has been the custom to abstain from certain foods and other pleasures, and to spend more time in prayer and meditation.

In one way or another many Christians practice Lent. Yet others may wonder why it is necessary. Yes, they may ask whether one should pay attention to Lent at all. Is it not a Roman Catholic practice? Moreover, the season of Lent is not even mentioned in the Bible?

And indeed, the season of Lent, as we know it, was probably not know among the first Christians. At the same time, very early in the history of God's people, it was recognized that God is holy. He is special and one must prepare properly before one appears before Him.

In Exodus 19 we read how God told Moses that he should command the people of Israel to consecrate themselves for the moment that God would come down Mount Sinai to make a covenant with them. They were to wash their clothes. They were to prepare themselves, and they were to abstain from sexual relations. (Exodus 19:15)

We learn that God's people are a holy people. They should be constantly training themselves to become more and more worthy of His kindness.

The outward preparations were to be a sign of the inward spiritual preparation which God requires of His people all the time.

The authors of the New Testament recognized the need for believers to be always in training. It is a sentiment which we notice as Jesus fasts for forty days and forty nights in the desert in preparation for His ministry (Matthew 4:1,2).

The Apostle Paul tells us....... I beat my -body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I my self will not be disqualified for the prize" (I Corinthians 9:27) and, "I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me..." (Philippians 3:14).

Paul tells the Christians in Rome, "Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)

Early in the history of the Christian Church it was seen as very necessary for believers to keep working on improving their lifestyle all the time, and to make an extra effort as the great Christian celebration of Easter was approaching. If at first not more than a few days were set aside, as the centuries went by, this time of preparation became more and more elaborate as it began on Ash Wednesday.

The first mention of forty days of preparation is found in a statement by Irenaeus in the Canons of Nicea (A.D. 325). It is believed that this period of time had its origin in the requirement of a period of fasting for candidates for baptism.

The forty day fast served to imprint on these Christians the seriousness of their confession and the need for them to die with Christ, as they would do symbolically in their baptism on the Eve of Easter. The length of the fast was doubtlessly suggested by the fasts of Moses, Elijah and Jesus.

In the early days of this period, fasting was very strict. For instance, meals were restricted to one a day, and meat, eggs and fish were forbidden. As the centuries progressed the practice to fast became more relaxed. Fish became part of the diet during the Middle Ages. In February 1966, the Roman Catholic Church restricted the practice of fasting to the first day of Lent and Good Friday.

In Protestant circles the observance of Lent is observed by most churches, though practices vary greatly. The emphasis seems to be on penance and special services of worship.

The minimal practice usually includes a Good Friday service in order to think on the passion of our Lord Other churches will celebrate the Lord's Supper on Maundy Thursday, the traditional English name for the Thursday preceding Easter.

In many towns the local ministerial association will organize ecumenical services during Holy Week. This is the week preceding Easter.

In some congregations the Pastor may emphasize the entire season of Lent by preaching sermons about the suffering of Jesus Christ on each of the preceding Sundays. In Reformed circles in Europe, the seven Sundays be fore Easter are set aside for this purpose. In the Reformed Church in America we follow the historic practice of six Lenten Sundays.

Local congregations may emphasize Lent by using a special devotional booklet. They may encourage other practices to emphasize that as Christians we ought to put to death all that is sinful in us, and that we need to work hard so that we may grow in our faith in Christ.

Some families will eat simple meals and donate to charity whatever money is saved that way. In our congregation we encourage the members to save money for a special collection in the Good Friday worship service. The entire collection is set aside to help the victims of disaster and famine.

Through all these practises it is recognized that the season of Lent is an appropriate time to make an extra effort to prepare for the wonderful celebration of Easter. With Christians throughout the world we remember first that Jesus has died for our sins. Therefore we want to discipline ourselves and think on what we can do to show our gratitude for His sacrifice. Then, at Easter, we hope to truly rejoice about Jesus' Resurrection. Knowing that one day we too, through faith in Him, will rise and have eternal life.

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