Lent, a Time of Sacrifice--from Jonathan


“After he fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry” (Matthew 4:2).

Lent is a time of sacrifice. A time to give up something. A time of preparation. A time to mold and change our heart to find out what we really need.

When was the last time you gave up something for Lent? I went to college at Concordia University in Seward, NE, and many people there came from a church background. Some were PKs (pastor’s kids), some were TKs (teacher’s kids), DCE’s kids, music director’s kids, and most were raised in the church. Then there was me. I think I was one of two students who, when professors talked about Confirmation, had no idea what they were talking about. “Confirmed in what?” I would say.

Slowly, I started to understand the church traditions. When Lent came around, it was my first experience with the season so I wanted to give up something that would be very meaningful—something I would have to really struggle to give up and that would place my heart back on track with God’s heart. So, I was going to give up time. I was going to give up playing games, watching television, being lazy, etc. and spend that time in prayer or reading and studying scripture. I was very excited.

One night at dinner we started talking about what we were going to give up for Lent. Some friends said chocolate, others said soda, another said coffee, and my soon-to-be wife said she wasn’t giving up anything. Then it was my turn. I hesitated. I wondered if I had this whole Lent thing backwards. Was I supposed to give up candy? I don’t really like candy, I thought to myself, but maybe that’s what we’re “supposed” to give up…

“Time,” I finally said. Then I explained to everyone why I wanted to give up time, they thought about it for a few minutes, and we carried on in our conversation.

Matthew tells us that Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights and he was hungry (who wouldn’t be?) Obviously, we don’t need to nor could we ever give up enough for Jesus, for it is through grace we are saved. However, if you are going to give something up this Lenten season, let it be something that forces you to think about Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Because I think this is really what Lent is about: a time to draw us back to know how much God loves us. He loves us so much he laid down his life to bring us back to a right relationship with God.

Blessings.

Jonathan.