Remembering Jesus. Isn't that what Lent is all about? Remembering the sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation.Traditionally we are taught that during Lent we are to concentrate on prayer, fasting, and helping the needy. Some "religious" people who observe Lent just concentrate on the fasting part. Too many of these "religious" people go around talking about how they are giving up candy as they pop a chocolate into their mouths and state how one piece won't really hurt anything. Have they not read the numerous passages in the Bible which state that God will not be mocked. Do they not realize that to proclaim they are doing something out of love for God and then do exactly the opposite is defiant behavior toward the one and only God? Is a chocolate more important that keeping a pledge to God?
"I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. Isaiah 42:8 NIV
How lightly we take God! But God does not take our sin and defiance lightly.
"These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the Lord's instruction...Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: 'Because you have rejected this message...this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging,that collapses suddenly, in an instant.'" Isaiah 30:9, 12a, 13 NIV
So when I contemplated taking a vow to fast in observance of Lent, I considered four criteria. First, it must be something that will not be too easy so that it will have meaning and will remind me of Jesus' suffering for my sin. Second, it must be something I will not violate--that I take seriously. Third, it must be something that is an integral part of my life so as I fast from it, I will be continually reminded of Jesus. Fourth, it must be something which does not bring human attention to me--that would be for my pride. It must be between me and God.
Jesus emphatically instructs his disciples not to do as the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. He gave this reason. "Everything they do is done for men to see:" Matthew 23:5a NIV
With that in mind, I rejected many common fasting ideas. I finally decided that I will drink only water. It is something I can do without drawing undue attention to myself, it will take some disciplined effort, and I will be reminded of Jesus throughout the day each time I take a drink. This is a small and simple fast, but I have come to believe it is in the small and simple things that God works most powerfully in our lives.
Lord, draw me closer to you during this lenten season. Show me how to serve through aiding the needy. Draw me closer to you as I pray. Grant to me a better understanding of the sacrifice Jesus made for my salvation.
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