“Lent is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar. Like all Christian holy days and holidays, it has changed over the years, but its purpose has always been the same:
self-examination
and penitence,
demonstrated by self-denial,
in preparation for Easter.
Early church father Irenaus of Lyons (c.130-c.200) wrote of such a season in the earliest days of the church, but back then it lasted only two or three days, not the 40 observed today.
In 325, the Council of Nicea discussed a 40-day Lenten season of fasting, but it's unclear whether its original intent was just for new Christians preparing for Baptism, but it soon encompassed the whole Church. It was then the idea was connected to the beginning of Jesus' public ministry right after his baptism and his 40 days in the desert where he was tempted. Matt 4:1-2 says:
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights and afterwards he was famished.
How exactly the churches counted those 40 days varied depending on location. In the East, one only fasted on weekdays. The western church's Lent was one week shorter, but included Saturdays. But in both places, the observance was both strict and serious. Only one meal was taken a day, near the evening. There was to be no meat, fish, or animal products eaten.
The goal of which was to reorient our lives by focusing our lives on the disciplines of the Christians are urged to refrain from business as usual in order to attend to the body, spirit, mind, soul, and heart. It is a time set aside for worshipers to connect their faith walk with the ways in which they live, move, and have their being throughout daily life. Thus, the Lenten journey is a renewed spirit and a genuine desire to become an incarnational presence in the world.
To get us re-booted in the Spirit, Let’s dive into a traditional Lenten Scripture for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. It comes from Eph 2:1-11. The apostle Paul is writing from a Roman Jail to a church he planted and stayed three years. The date on this letter is around 60 A.D. The letter is written out of a concern for the Gentiles in the church about their eternal status. He was making it clear: Gentiles were not second class citizens in the kingdom of God, but equal partners in the Kingdom of God and in the place of gathering. There is no ranking of God’s care and concern at birth. All are equal sons and daughters.
Let’s jump into the letter by first reading this snippet once, and then we will dive in “old school”.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Now let's dive in. It begins...
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
Ever heard the term “dead man walking”? The phrase did not originate with the 1995 movie. It comes about from a prison tradition whereby a man sentenced to death would be paraded through the prison and guards would shout “dead man walking” as they took him or her to be executed. Its use has expanded as a euphemism for anyone facing an impending and unavoidable loss. Paul could have said, we - Jews and Gentiles - are dead men walking. Our lives lived only for our wants and desires have a single outcome - eternal death.
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Paul goes on to explain the hope we have as Christians - Jesus. Through God’s mercy, He not only created the stay of execution order, he offered to pay the fine leveled against you.
Have you ever played the game “Monopoly”? I played it as a kid. I can still remember that corner of the board that sent you directly to jail - do not pass go and do not collect $200 dollars. I had a fear of that corner. If I landed on it I would be upset because it meant the other players would get to play while I sat watching. If life were played on a monopoly board, God reset the rules giving every player who wanted one, unlimited use of his get out of jail free card. If when they rolled the dice of life and inevitably landed on that square, the only new requirement to get the get out of jail free card was a willingness to ask and believe the creator of the game could offer a pardon.
Now some will say, God’s action through Jesus Christ changed the game. However, God’s action made the game more enjoyable because the measure of a well played game is not a win or lose proposition but how one plays the game.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
What if the 8 billion people woke up each morning and asked, “what good work could I do for my fellow man?” Okay, maybe that’s not possible today but what if ? of the world's population who call themselves Christian woke up and asked, “what good works do I get to do today to better the lives of every human I get to live life with?” Imagine what life would be like!
Tipping point is 16%
11 Therefore, remember, that formerly, you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now, in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
When Paul uses the word ‘Therefore’ pay attention. He’s signaling the point. In this case, he is telling us the kingdom of God is available to ALL people. It's not about your birth right or any nationality or even human ritual, it's about sincere belief. The process is so simple - repent and be baptized.
The practice of repentance includes admission and making the situation right, if possible. As Jesus’ brother James (5:16) writes, “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Confession is good for the soul because it brings to the surface the areas of our character that are not representative of our commitment to live as Christ would.
When I was growing up, I was asked to make a confession to a priest. There was a whole ritual around the process. Words that need to be said and responses given. It always frightened me. I can remember a friend telling me he wouldn’t tell the priest the worst stuff he did because at the end of the time in the box the priest gave absolution or forgiveness for all your sins, so why get a long lecture or a lot of prayers? Just do the minimum and get the maximum return. A perfect loophole, or so I thought.
Confession is supposed to lift my Spirit by exposing the dark parts of myself to the light so they can not grow or cement into a way of living. There are no shortcuts or loopholes. Confession frees us from the bondage of the past and present giving us a better future.
1 John 1:9 tells us “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Confession is not so much a requirement for believers as it is an opportunity for restoration of fellowship after offending our Holy God. Christians are a confessing people! And as we confess, God forgives and cleanses.
The challenge this week is simple: Find a trusted friend to share the past. Determine if any action is needed to amend the wrongs done others and experience freedom that comes from confession, repentance and faith in the pardon purchased by Jesus.
