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.
