Lent, 2024 - Pt. 5

 

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (Romans 12:9-12 ESV).

 

The third reason to observe the season of Lent is a bit more subtle than the previous two. It gives those of us who are not “liturgical” in our practice to connect with other believers who are. We may find common ground with other congregations through the discovery of the progression of seasons for anticipation, reflection, and activity. It includes the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Pentecost, as well as “ordinary” worship times. The liturgical calendar offers a rhythm to the worship year for which many evangelicals have found a renewed appreciation. Southern Baptist writer and musician, Bobby Gilles, shares his views about the liturgical calendar:

 

More and more Christians are rediscovering this historic practice and growing in the truth and knowledge of Christ. We shouldn’t treat the church calendar as if it were commanded in Scripture. It is simply a practice of historic Christianity that continuously stirs reflection, anticipation, and action in the hearts of God’s people for the whole, big story of the gospel.

 

I have found the level of competition between denominations and local churches to be far greater than not. This is not the direction of Scripture. The observance of Lent gives us another opportunity to cooperate with other believers in the gospel mission. It’s true that more Protestant Christians observe Lent these days. They take it in measure and call it what it is: a season for self-denial, prayer, and reflection to focus on the hope of Christ. It’s not about them, or what they do. It’s about Jesus and what he did. “You could observe 1,000 Lents,” says Eric Ferris, “and it won’t ever accomplish in your life what the cross of Jesus has.” Protestants have gained a new appreciation for the Church and for a season to reflect on their need for the cross and to prepare their hearts to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. It’s not all about “giving something up,” but they see fasting is a true spiritual discipline that gears the heart and mind to Christ. In the end, whether Christians observe Lent corporately or individually, it comes down to Christ on the cross and a tomb that was found empty. This must be something we can all agree upon regardless of our theological or practical differences.