Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Several years ago I followed a fasting and prayer time through the forty days of Lent and found that it changed my view of Easter and it changed me. Fasting and meditating on my weaknesses helped me grasp the intense significance of the crucifixion, and gave me a deep and powerful longing for the resurrection, which then became joy on Easter Sunday.
Before Christ, the world called out to God (in the words of David, King of Israel),
“How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealous wrath burn like fire?” (Psalm 79.5)
Easter is the once and for all time answer to this question. Jesus took our place on the cross to appease God’s righteous anger. He went alone to be punished: separated from God and deserted by his friends. The drama of how this happened is the story of Lent. Before the resurrection comes crucifixion; before crucifixion comes prosecution; before prosecution comes betrayal, doubt, fear, rebellion, and sin.
Lent helps us experience our part in the Passion (suffering) of Jesus. We face our humanity during Lent; we learn that sin still dwells in us, that we still carry darkness. We learn that we would likely have fallen asleep as Jesus prayed for deliverance in the garden, and we would likely have denied knowing him as he silently accepted his death sentence.
Make this Lenten season a very special time between you and God.
Pastor Michael
