Week Three Series

“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 Third Sunday of Lent. It comes from 1 Cor 1:18-25. The apostle Paul is writing from Ephesus, where he planted and stayed three years. He is writing to another of His church plants in Corinth. The date on this letter between 54-56ad. The letter is written because of a church fight taking place - quarrelling and debates are happening with some wrestling with who has apostolic authority in Paul’s absence. It would make for a great reality tv show with hidden conversations and innuendo. Paul is trying to bring unity, compassion and singleness of purpose. He begins this letter with affirmation in the church and the Lord’s faithfulness. He then brings up the cornerstone issues, leaders asserting their human wisdom into the simple message of Jesus. In doing so, they were creating division. Let’s pick up the argument in verse 18. Let me read this snippet once and then we will dive in.

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;

the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Now let's dive in.

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;

the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

When Paul mentions the cross, did any of you shiver. In the time, Paul wrote this so many of his listeners would hear the word “cross” as a filthy or dirty word. The cross was the worst way to die. It was considered shameful. It wouldn’t even be spoken of in polite society so in a letter written to the ecclesia (the gathering of early christians) this would have been tantamount to dropping the bomb.

Paul was making a point, the cross signifies the greatest of all paradoxes -the cross is only shameful to those who did something wrong but for those living like Christ, the people who are in the right - the cross is symbol of the greatest truth of all time: Christ has come. Christ has died. Christ has Risen and Christ will come again.