Lent and Us
Baptists are cautious about treating special days, seasons, or Christian practices as necessary observances. We want to avoid behaving legalistic or Pharisaical. The debate between Jesus and the Pharisees might be helpful for us.
Jesus disputed the Pharisees’ interpretation and application of the bible when it came to the Sabbath. We can keep in mind that according to the Gospels and Acts, out of Jesus’ discussions with Pharisees, some became Jesus’ disciples. They took his words to heart.
The Torah says, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work.” (Exodus 20:8) The Pharisees understood, “No work on the Sabbath,” to mean not even coming close to anything like work: even picking grain to eat as you walked along was, “Unlawful.” Jesus countered with a story from the bible where King David had violated the law to ensure his soldiers could eat. Jesus concluded that God’s laws were not meant to be a burden, nor chains, but were meant to give life. “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath,” he summarized.
Some have understood Jesus’ words here to dismiss all religious practices, like keeping a day of rest, fasting, or attending church, as if Jesus had said, “The Sabbath doesn’t matter” or even, “Observing the Sabbath or any other religious practice is wrong.” There is a spirit in our age which says something like, “Traditions and religion interfere with genuine spirituality.” In fact, Jesus’ words imply the opposite.
The Sabbath, Jesus said, was designed for humanity. That is to say, God made this tradition because it would be for our own good. It was meant to help us know and enjoy God and creation. Certainly, when we slip into treating tradition and practices that have been handed down to us as ends in themselves, we’ve missed the point badly. However, it is equally misguided to reject all church practices as legalism or dead ritual.
We will soon enter the season of Lent. For nearly 2000 years, the church has passed on the practice of a period of intensified prayer, fasting, serving, giving, and self-examination, all while reading and reflecting on the suffering and death of Jesus, whom we love. Christians have found these practices draw them closer to Jesus and transform their hearts – Lent was made to serve us. But if we use Lent to judge others, to think more highly of ourselves, or to check a box, again, we’ve missed the point.
We all need a way of life and that is what other Christians have handed down to us, not legalism and empty ritual, but practices meant for human beings, with our daily routines and seasonal traditions.
May the approaching Lenten season renew your prayers and service. May it renew your confidence that Jesus is walking with you.
With love, Pastor Joel
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