Have you ever thought of Lent as a lesson in preparation? Just like Advent readies us for Christmas, Lent prepares us for Easter. Understanding the importance of Lent prepares us for the gift of life and death through Jesus. Today, let’s look at the three things Jesus calls us to do, especially during Lent.
Last week, we studied Jesus’ time in the wilderness from a new perspective. Sometimes God leads us to uncomfortable places, so we can go out and glorify Him. Immediately following the passage on Jesus’ temptation, we see instructions from Him in Matthew 6. These three disciplines give Lent and our lives even more meaning.
First, in Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus teaches us how to give by saying;
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Give – Pray – Fast
Second, in Matthew 6:5-15, we learn how to pray.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
And lastly, in Matthew 6:16-18, we learn about fasting.
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Giving, praying and fasting are the 3 pillars of Lent. These disciplines teach us to care for each other, trust God and not to give into our own pleasures. A faithful life to God is a disciplined life, a life lived in obedience.
“I am not my own.”
Why is Lent so important? If we focus on Jesus’ life and listen to His words, He will teach us all we need to know to live a life of Christ. We are stewards of all we have because all we have comes from God. Sharing is a command. Praying and fasting draw us closer to our Creator.
Take this time and press into to Jesus. Mark this Lenten season by learning from Him, giving, praying and fasting, just as Jesus did. By getting to know Him, we can be more like Him. Honor this time by acknowledging it.
Prepare – Learn – Grow
Let us pray,
Mother/Father/Brother/Sister God, be to us what You are to Christ. Show us how to grow in this season of preparation. Make us the disciples You created us to be. Give us a pure and humble heart, willing to sacrifice for one another. For it is in Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.
P.S. Check out this YouTube video below. If you cannot see it, open this message from your browser. Leave me a comment below and tell me how you plan to honor Christ. Forward this message to a friend and post on Facebook. Don’t forget to tag me in it. Let’s dig into Jesus and His journey together. It will transform your Easter experience. It may transform you. -M
