Settling down to
complete some post graduate studies (and wishing more that I didn’t have to) my
mind easily drifted off to other things, among them the holy season in which we
are preparing to celebrate Easter, the most important day in Christian history, referred to in Acts 12:4. In my study of
God’s word, I do find it interesting to note that the word “Easter” that we
Christians celebrate is mentioned only this one time in the Bible and only
in the King James Version. Hence, while
I am impassioned to write, my very technological mind searches until it finds a
satisfactory answer.
While the actual word
“lent” is not found in scripture, it is nonetheless a period marked for
observing fasting, repentance, spiritual discipline, and reflection on Jesus
Christ, His suffering and His sacrifice. The Lenten season begins on Ash
Wednesday or 40 days preceding the crucifixion.
I further found that while the Bible does not speak of the custom of
Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2
Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21. And, in my
book, if anything can turn our
thoughts toward Christ and cause us to melt in repentance, having a right view
of the Lord, whether a “season” or a “holiday”, then why does it matter what we
call it?
Last year, we took our
ladies’ Bible study group through an intense study of the Old Testament
tabernacle from Israel's exodus from Egypt through the wilderness wanderings to
the conquest of Canaan. I had studied
the tabernacle, the duties of the Levite priests, but something deep within
stirred when we studied the Passover. . .the time we Christians now refer to as
Easter. When we studied the attitude and the reverence by
which the priests had to approach God in the Holy of Holies, the need for their
purity of mind, heart, and body in comparison with the way we nonchalantly,
when I need Him attitude come to Him today, is such a stark contrast, I am
amazed that He ever made a way of escape for us!
And, what a contrast
from the Old Testament Passover to the New Testament Passover! It was God’s
wrath upon an idolatrous, heathen nation that hardened its heart toward the God
of Israel that caused the first Passover in Egypt. Yet, as we look to the cross, it was His love
for mankind magnified through His son that so lovingly, so mercifully lay down
His own life, and shed every drop of His precious blood that you and I might
not have to face the death angel of the Old Testament Passover, but through His
sacrifice have eternal life.
We are told that he
“eagerly desired” (Luke 22:15 ESV) to eat the Passover with his disciples. He
wanted to share, once more, this special Jewish meal. He yearned with all his heart to just one
last time celebrate God, His Father, as Savior before He would suffer at the
hands of his own a horrific death. Steve Wright stated, “That particular
Passover meal was arranged secretly in an upper room. It was that final meal
with his friends that has become the model for what we Christians have named
the “Lord’s Supper.”
Antithetical to the
God who regretted He had made man (“And
the Lord regretted that he had
made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” Genesis 6:6 ESV)
is our God-man (john 1:1-2), Jesus Christ, who willingly gave up His life so
that the mankind he regretted creating would have a final Passover lamb that
provided the way to eternal life with Him rather than eternal separation
from Him. His compassion. His mercy.
His unfathomable, unfailing love. As I pause to remember the events of
this Easter season, I pause to always remember that His compassion, His
mercy, His unfathomable, unfailing love, saved me, keeps me, reminds me of
where He brought me from and where I might have been. Whether it was all of
mankind, or just me, or just you – if we were the only people ever in this
world, God’s love would still have been poured out for us.
“For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not
perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV
