What's so important about Lent?

Lent is the forty day season that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on the Saturday of Holy Week.  Sundays are not included in the 40 day count, because every Sunday is a joyful celebration of Jesus' rising from death. Because of Lent's penitential nature, worship themes direct us to examine our lives and our life with God.  Purple is the color used in the worship space.

Even though "Lent" is not mentioned in the Bible, it has been a long tradition in the Christian Church.  Its 40 days recall the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11).  Lent is truly a time for Christians to grow in their walk with the Lord Jesus.  It is also a time for those who are interested in the Christian faith to learn about the basics of Christianity.

Palm Sunday begins the final week of Lent known as "Holy Week" when we remember Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem in which the people lined the streets with, and waved palm branches hailing him as their king.  In just hours, however, those shouts of Hallelujah's would turn to cries of "Crucify Him!"   During this most significant week in Jesus' life, we have 2 very important days.

    * The first is "Maundy Thursday" - remembering how Jesus, like a servant, washed his disciples' feet as an example of how Christians are to live, patterning our lives after Christ's example, and also remembering that Jesus instituted the "Holy Communion" at the Last Supper with his disciples on the night before his betrayal.

    * The second is "Good Friday" - helping us to remember Jesus' arrest, imprisonment, trial, suffering and death by crucifixion.

Easter Sunday celebrates the reality that Jesus did not remain dead.  By His power as God, on this day Jesus rose from death, and in the 40 days that followed, physically appeared to his followers, ate with them, and was seen by many, including Thomas whose doubt forced him to touch the Lord before he would believe.   The Day of Resurrection is truly the greatest day in history; because Jesus lives, those who believe and trust in Him know that we will also live eternally with God in heaven.  Thanks be to God!