Title: The purpose of keeping the Lent is repentance and renewal
Jesus took all the sins of mankind, was crucified on the cross and broke the power of death and was raised on the 3rd day. In order to commemorate the Lord’s resurrection, Christianity keeps the Lent. The meaning of keeping the Lent is for us to have repentance and renewal. As we partake in the suffering of the Lord during Lent, we wish to repent of our sins and become a new person.
How should we keep the Lent?
- We should fast from meats and drinks
Meats and drinks symbolize luxurious food or pleasure, we should avoid having such food during the Lent. Daniel also fast from meat and wine (Daniel 10:2-3). Let us remember and commemorate that for this time about 2,000 years ago, our Lord was about to take inexpressible sufferings and to be crucified on the cross, as His children and as His grown-up followers, let us refrain ourselves from taking meats and drinks that we are consuming for our pleasure.
- We should repent of our sins
The Lent always starts from Ash Wednesday. The reason why it is called Ash Wednesday is because in the Old Testament time, people sat on ashes and put them on their head when repenting before God (2 Samuel 13:19, Esther 4:1, Isaiah 61:3).
How much are we willing to participate in the Lord’s suffering? When David prayed for the forgiveness of ancestor sins, he fasted for 3 weeks. Our prayer of repentance need not be lengthy for the sake of making it long but at least it should not be like a casual apology such as “I am sorry”. King David repented with tears that is enough to wet the linen (Psalms 6:6). People in the Bible sat on ashes and put on their head and pounding either the ground or their hearts when repenting for hours or days. Let us have time for genuine repentance during the Lent 2020.
- We should segregate ourselves for holiness
The meaning that is in number 40 is the period of segregation or preparation. Example in the Bible, Jesus prayer fasting for 40 days in the wilderness before commencing His public life (Matthew 4:1-11). During the great flood of Noah, the total days of raining were 40 days (Genesis 7:4). And Moses also prayed and fasted for 40 days in Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28). Elijah reached Mount Horeb after 40 days journey (1 Kinggs 19:8). The people of Israel sent 12 spies to spy out the land of Canaan for 40 days. During the 40 years of wilderness journey, God provided Manna from heaven and Joshua and Caleb entered the land of Canaan alive.
40 days of Lent is the time to make our hearts steadfast. No more wondering of choosing between left or right or to do and not to do. It is the time to make a solid determination that we will not sin against God anymore and we will follow Jesus no matter what.
How can we keep holiness?
- We have to recall God’s grace
In Matthew 25, the parable of the ten virgin teaches us that we should be on alert and be prepared with oils. We must prepare ourselves by remembering the grace of Jesus that was given and bestowed upon us. If we have Jesus, we have all. On the other hand, if we do not have Jesus, even if we have many things right now, we will lose everything.
- We have to read the Bible
The one who reads the scripture is blessed, and the blessed one does not walk in the counsel of the wicked (Revelation 1:3. Psalms 1:1).
- We have to give up on calculation
In order to live a godly life, we have to stop doing calculation with God. If we are stingy to God regarding our time, energy and money, God will also be stingy to us with His time His power and His blessings. If we move by faith, God will help us and bring even more blessings upon you, your business and your household.
Conclusion
We should follow the life of Jesus Christ
Jesus said that He knows that Father’s commandments are eternal life. The life of Jesus Christ on earth was to obey the Word of Father to the point of death.
John 12:50 I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.”
Philippians 2:6-8 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Jesus was God Himself but emptied Himself and obeyed Father’s will to the point of death. If we believe what Jesus said is true, if we believe what the Bible says is right, then we should also obey Father’s commandment to the point of death, and even more so.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 