“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” - Matthew 4:1-2
Lent is a season of forty days, mirroring Jesus’ time in the wilderness. It is a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection—a journey not just toward Easter, but toward deeper communion with Christ. The wilderness is a place of testing, but it is also a place of preparation.
Pastor Mark’s favorite season of the year is Lent. He loves it because it’s a quiet season where we focus on our personal relationship with Jesus. And he is right—the church calendar was slowly formed over the centuries by believers who came before us. In the first century, much of the church followed the Jewish calendar because most believers were Jewish. By the second century, celebrating Easter had become widespread. In the fourth century, Lent became a globally recognized season, as the church focused on the disciplines of Jesus. Growing closer to Jesus means doing the things He did.
Jesus entered the wilderness filled with the Spirit, and though He faced temptation, He emerged ready for His ministry. Likewise, our Lenten journey is not about proving our strength but about discovering our dependence on God. When we fast—whether from food, distractions, or sinful habits—we are reminded that we do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).
The Call to Repentance and Renewal
Lent also calls us to repentance. In Joel 2:12-13, God says: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments.” True repentance is not just about outward actions but about the condition of our hearts. What in our lives has taken the place of God? What are we clinging to that we need to release? Lent is a time to lay down our idols, our distractions, and our burdens at the foot of the cross.
The Path to the Cross
Lent is not just about self-denial; it is about preparing our hearts for the resurrection. Every step of this journey draws us closer to the cross, where Christ’s ultimate act of love was displayed. The suffering of Good Friday gives way to the victory of Easter Sunday. In the same way, our sacrifices in this season are not an end in themselves but a means of drawing near to Christ, sharing in His sufferings so that we might also share in His resurrection (Philippians 3:10-11). For many of us, we grew up celebrating the seasons of the church. They hold joyous memories where children were actively involved in church life. Let’s embrace Lent in a meaningful way this year.
I’m also excited to share that Pastor Mark’s childhood pastor from Kenya will be here to preach for us. Maybe he’ll share some stories about Pastor Mark’s younger days! Join us this Sunday at 10:30 AM, either online or in person—we look forward to seeing you.
Your friend for the rest of my life,
Pastor Tim White