What will you give up?

As Easter approaches, you might hear someone saying, “I’m giving up chocolate for Lent” or “I’m fasting from fried foods.” But have you ever wondered why people celebrate Lent and what’s the purpose of fasting during this time?

Lent marks a special six-week period in the Church’s calendar, starting with Ash Wednesday and concluding on Holy Saturday or Easter Sunday.

During 40 days of Lent, worshippers remember Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness as mentioned in Matthew 4. Lent is a time for fasting, self-reflection, repentance, and preparation for the joyous celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection on Easter.

What are you giving up and why? Would you give up your time to help a homeless person find food? Would you give up your bonus to help a single mother stock her fridge?

I feel like most people don’t understand the concept of sacrifice. They misunderstand Lent only as a time when people make sacrifices for God, when it is truly a time about the ultimate sacrifice that God made for all people.

God gave up, (He sacrificed His only Son) so that you and me could live, and not only live, but have a relationship with Jesus. Jesus paid the ultimate price for all of us, so are you willing to leave the life you currently have to live a life with Jesus, who is preparing a place for you and me to live in eternity?

When you lay down your life, a little each day, you are modeling Christ-like grace. You are sharing love. You are becoming more like Jesus… And what could be better than that?

Matthew 16:24 - “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”