Importance of Lent
THE SEASON of Lent is a very significant event in the Christian life. Jesus Christ, our Saviour, was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights. Could it be that Satan was trying to make Jesus sin, since Jesus came into the world, not only Divine, but a human being? As John 1:14 reads: “The Word became a human being, and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw His glory which He received as the Father’s only Son.”
Satan was trying to prevent Jesus from fulfilling His mission of dying for us, so that we may be reconciled to God. With the temptations in the wilderness, Jesus told Satan: “It is written”. In other words, I am here to fulfil God’s Will; so get behind me, Satan!
Remember that Jesus was in the flesh, and for Him not to eat for 40 days and nights, He would have been extremely hungry and weak, and even though He had the power to turn stones into bread, He did not do it. Jesus said: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Jesus was totally focused on His mission, and praise be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, He perfectly fulfilled His mission on earth.
Because of what Jesus came on earth to do for us, by being tempted by Satan and eventually dying on the cross for our sins, we have this marvellous opportunity to be reconciled to our Creator. Christ has shown us how much He loves us, when He ultimately gave up His life for us, so that when we repent, we can be forgiven of our sins, and be in friendship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit again. This is true love. I am so grateful for the love that has brought us back to God.
How can we show this gratitude to God? God said: “If you love me, you will keep my Commandments” ( John 14:15). We need to deny ourselves of doing that which is displeasing to God, such as lying, stealing, fornication, adultery, hypocrisy, murder, domestic violence, etc., and instead speak the truth, do not steal, do not engage in sexual activity outside of marriage, be faithful to your marriage partner, do not be deceptive, do not murder, do not hurt each other, but be kind to each other, and remember that “a soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger”.
Let us this season reflect on the great demonstration of love that Christ has shown us, and let us be grateful by obeying His Commandments.
To God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be all the glory forever and ever, amen.