This is the first in a short series on Lent.

For the next few post I’m going to write on Lent. See the prior post as a precursor to the next few post.

Lent has came to be known as the period of giving something up. In short it often degrades down to what we are (not) doing. Historically the sacrifice was of food. In our day the idea of sacrifice has grown so personal that it includes giving up creature comforts for Lent. To quote Seinfeld “Not that there is anything wrong with that.” In years past all my meditation ended up being on my sacrifice and not Jesus. To quote John Swigert Jr. “Houston we have a problem.”

Lent has always been countercultural. It is a chance to learn afresh of how Jesus love is shown in his incarnation. Jesus humanity was in full view during his temptation in the desert. His temptation was for us. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday that in its symbolism mixes Christ triumph with Christ cross. Lent begins with the mark of the cross then sets the context of how and why Jesus went to the cross. Lent in its entirety focuses on the beginning of Jesus ministry in his temptation in the desert.

Lent takes place on the church calendar after Jesus birth to ground his incarnation with his mission. Why is this? It is because the early Church stressed the need to reflect on Jesus humility in his humanity. He humbled himself to become a human (John 1:1-5, 14-18). He humbled himself enough to be subjected to first forty days of fasting then temptation (Matthew 4:1). He humbled himself enough to rely on the Spirit to resist temptation (Luke 12:12, John 14:26). He humbled himself to rely on the authority of Scripture instead of his own authority (Matthew 4:4).

Early Roman culture originally had no name for the first two months in the year. Predating the founding of Rome different cults in the winter months particularly what we call February would worship their gods by fasting. The name February comes from a word that means to purify. The early Church by the fourth century used this period of February to share their faith by fasting, prayer, and meditating on the temptation of Christ. It was both a evangelistic endeavor and a countercultural endeavor. It was evangelistic in that they could share how Christ fasted like they were doing so. It was countercultural in that it was grounded not so much in their sacrifice but in Christ sacrifice. It inverted the pagan practice of appeasing the gods and triumphing in their accomplishment for the gods.

The first Christians that practiced Lent did so not to exalt in their fasting and sacrifice but to celebrate Christ in his fasting. It was done as a method of living out part of the life of Christ. It was done as a personal version of a passion play. Instead of a actor portraying Christ, the early Church saw themselves as mini imperfect versions of Christ to their culture. This is the right Spirit in which to practice Lent.

The next post will be on some of the theology of Lent.