We are now in the Season of Lent as this pastor's blog for March-April 2023 is prepared. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, which was on February 22 this year, Lent runs for a 40-day period, or approximately six weeks, leading up to Easter/Resurrection Sunday (which is April 9 in 2023). Lent is generally observed as a time of fasting, prayer, repentance, and self-reflection.
While many Baptist congregations have not traditionally observed the season of Lent, there is an increasing number of Baptists who do cite Lent as a special time on the annual church calendar to give closer attention to the closing days of Jesus' earthly ministry as he moved toward his final week (what we call Holy Week which runs from Palm Sunday - April 2 this year - through what some call Holy Saturday or the day before Easter Sunday when the resurrection is celebrated. It has been tradition in many congregations to move quickly to the resurrection and bypass the crucifixion. Certainly, the resurrection is what affirms the deity of Jesus and confirms that he overcame the penalty of sin for us. However, it is very important that we take time, at least on an annual basis, to prayerfully consider that course of events leading up to the arrest and trial of Jesus, his atoning death at Calvary, and the depth of meaning of his passion.
We have Lent devotional guides available. I would also recommend your spending time in the Gospels to read directly about what is recorded regarding Jesus' final days prior to the crucifixion. The Gospel of John, in the second half of that book, presents the final week of Jesus' life in some detail. There are numerous online sources - which I will be glad to share upon request.
As stated in one summary of the meaning of Lent: "The purpose of Lent is to prepare Christians for the joyous celebration of Jesus' resurrection. It is also a time to acknowledge our sinful nature, repent of our sins, and recommit our lives to God. By spending time in prayer and meditation, we can renew our spiritual lives and prepare ourselves to give thanks for the gift of salvation. Lent is also a time to serve others and show God's love by our actions."
Following Lent, we come to the joyous celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. This is the good news and highlight of our faith because Jesus arose from the dead - he is alive - the tomb is empty! This is a life-changing truth, a transformational message, and the permanent solution to our sin problem. Praise be to God that Jesus Christ is alive and that he shall return some day!
COMMENTS ON THE 2023 ASBURY UNIVERSITY REVIVAL:
We have recently witnessed an amazing outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky that began among students in a chapel service. I have been impressed, from a distance as a pastor and minister of the Gospel, with the approach that the Asbury administration has taken in protecting the students and not commercializing the time of revival and not allowing some outside groups to come in and take over and potentially manipulate the spirit of revival. Most of us would acknowledge the need for revival and renewal among God's people in this post-pandemic era. We face a "new normal" as has been stated numerous time since March 2020 when the pandemic first became evident. May we pray that the spirit of revival and renewal, which appears to be the "real deal" at Asbury University, is the beginning of a widespread movement of the Holy Spirit among God's people in Kentucky and beyond. "Revive us, O Lord."