40 Days

Camp Lakeview, IN. 10/9/2011 dwm photo

 Lent began yesterday with Ash Wednesday. It recognizes 40 days of fasting in the desert Jesus did prior to his public ministry (Found in books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke).

 In the Old Testament, Moses went into the mountains for forty days and nights without bread or water before receiving the Ten Commandments.  The season includes the account of Elijah's (1 Kings 19) forty days of fasting and prayer before receiving God's word.

 In the early church, after 300, it was common to have a season of fasting and repentance before the celebration of Easter.

Many Christians use the next six weeks to reflect and consider the depth of our sin and unworthiness against the incredible level of sacrifice made to wash our sin in the blood of the Lamb.

While not required, many will choose to 'give up something' for Lent as a recognition of Christ's sacrifice. For many it's giving up something special or choosing to spend more time in prayer or reading the Bible.

In today's world, anything that helps us slow down and spend time in prayer is a good spiritual practice.

If you're thinking Lent is coming extra early this year, you are correct. 

2024 is one of the earliest Lenten seasons because Easter is falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox (March 21).  Easter Sunday is March 31. The earliest in the 21st century was 16 years ago in 2008 when it was March 23.