Wednesday, February 18, 2015

February 18: Ash Wednesday, the First Day of Lent

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent.  Though Ash Wednesday & Lent are not observed so much by evangelical Christians there is much we could learn from its observance.  There are disagreements as to when the Lenten season officially ends.  But for our purposes I encourage you to consider entering a fast from now through Saturday, April 4 (the eve of Easter Day, April 5).

Jesus gives some instruction about fasting:  “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as they hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret” (Matthew 6:16-18).

Fasting can involve just about anything we are willing to sacrifice for a period of time.  The most important point is that we are willing to sacrifice for the purpose of focusing on something far greater.  May these following days be days of focusing on who JESUS is & on what He accomplish through His redemptive work by offering Himself up on a cross.


May we prepare for this Easter season as if it truly is one of the most important events in the history of all the world.