But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with
his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 |
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Easter / Lent Fact:Lent
The word "Lent" is derived from the old Anglo-Saxon word "Lenten," for
spring. In the Christian year, Lent is the forty-day period of prayer and spiritual
self-examination that prepares for the festival of Resurrection. Lent is identified with
the passion or suffering of Christ. Forty days is traditionally reflective of the forty
days that Jesus fasted in the wilderness. During this time He was tempted by Satan.
I've always had trouble counting the days of lent. It never figured out to forty days as I
counted. Lent does not include the Sundays. These "Lord's Days" are weekly
celebrations of the Resurrection and therefore not part of Lent. Lent is made up of forty
days of weekdays and Saturdays.
Lent is not concerned only with remembering the suffering of Christ. It was designed to
prepare the Christian to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. The object is a
participation and reliving of the events of our historical atonement, the life, suffering,
rejection, death, and triumph over death of Jesus Christ. Lent is a time for Christians to
deepen their conviction..
Sources: The Dictionary of Bible and Religion,
William Gentz | The Bible Almanac, White |