Journey through Lent: preparation and reflection
What is Lent and why do people give something up during it? While there is no biblical mandate for observing Lent, there is a biblical basis for fasting and preparing your heart—core parts of the purpose of the Lenten season. This period of 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter is observed by penitence and fasting, a cherished tradition meant as a means of preparation for Easter. We invite you to explore its profound history and traditions with us at Empowerment Community Church.
The biblical roots of lent
While a period of preparation for Easter has probably been observed since the days of the early church, it was not formalized until the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE. Though there is no clear biblical mandate for Lent, the forty days resonate with Jesus' own fasting in the wilderness when he was tempted by Satan: "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry" (Matthew 4:1-2, NKJV). Fasting, however, is mentioned throughout the New Testament as a way to focus and pray. Matthew 6:16-18 gives instructions on how to fast, and Matthew 17:21 explains that fasting and prayer are required for certain tasks.
Preparing your heart: a time for reflection
Taking time to fast and pray allows us to deeply connect with our faith. One powerful example is preparing for Holy Communion: "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:27-28). Lent is a season for self-examination, confession, and spiritual renewal, helping us to move forward with a clean conscience and prepare for the ultimate celebration of Christ's resurrection.
Daily Scripture and Thoughts For LENT
Day 40: Anoint yourself! Anoint your home your family, your work place and anything you are working on. Anoint your heart and your mind so they will work together and bring forth the promises GOD has for your future! Break the yokes that were holding you back. Declare that the robbers of your past will be overtaken by the anointing that is on your future. Read Isaiah 10:27
Station Fourteen: Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
Matthew 27:5-61, Luke 23:50-54
This station recounts how after Jesus died on the cross, he was taken down and laid in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin who secretly followed Jesus.
As we consider this station and this action of Jesus, let us remember the importance of caring for and honoring each other in loving ways.
Going back to Scripture to thoughtfully reflect on the day of Christ’s crucifixion — all the pain and suffering he endured, as well as all the other things that happened along the way to the cross — is a good Lenten exercise because it helps us reflect on the extravagant, generous love Jesus had for us. We owe him absolutely everything.
Whether you reflect on the stations of the cross or some other aspect of Jesus’s life, be sure to spend time reflecting, repenting, and drawing closer to God as you prepare your heart for Easter.