Q & A: What Does Reverend Deal Say?
‘Lent is six weeks of self-discipline’
Question: What is the meaning of Lent? Can it be found in the Bible?
Answer: Lent is a season that consists of 40 days. The counting of forty days does not include Sundays. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (March 1, 2017) and ends on Thursday (April 13, 2017). Easter Sunday follows the end of the Lent period. Lent is a time to reflect on your relationship with God. During this period fasting should be your paramount goal. This is the time when Christians refrain from the desires that keeps them in physical bondage. Some give up smoking, drinking, television, and other negative habits that are contrary to the word of God. One should have a mindset of abstinence. Lent is a period of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Easter Sunday.
Lent is not found in the Bible. Ash Wednesday can’t be found as well. The interpretation of what Lent stands for can be seen throughout Scripture. The number 40 (days or nights) appears often in the Bible. God caused it to rain 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:12); Moses fled to Midian for 40 years (Acts 7:29-30); Goliath taunted Saul’s army for 40 days (1 Samuel 17:16); When Elijah ran from Jezebel, he traveled 40 days and 40 nights (1 Kings 19:8) and in the New Testament Jesus was tempted 40 days and 40 nights (Mt 4:2); and there were 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3).
Just remember that to receive favor from Jesus will require more than to give up your desires for 40 days. As a matter of fact, there is nothing we can give or do to earn favor from God. God gave all a free gift from the goodness of His grace and mercy. And this gift is the salvation received through His Son Jesus.
Reverend Deal is the senior pastor at Every Christian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Rev Deal can be reached in care of the spiritual editor at the Westside Gazette, 545 NW Seventh Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Fla, 33311, or email atdavid.deal55@gmail.com
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