We’re into the Lenton season in the Christian church calendar. The word “Lent”
comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “lencten” and simply means “spring.” As we
move toward this wonderful season in nature with all its signs of new life, we also
move through the season where, as Christians, we take stock of our lives and
relationships to discover things that need to change to prepare us for spiritual
renewal…to prepare us for Easter-for new life in Jesus!
There are two signs used during Lent. The first sign is the cross. We look to the
cross, not only to remind us of Jesus’ sacrifice and death, but to symbolize our
willingness to put to death anything in our lives that does not honor Jesus. The cross
also symbolizes our willingness to follow Jesus, even to our death! The second sign
used is the ash. In the Bible, ashes are a sign of repentance. Daniel 9: 3 says that as
Daniel went before God on behalf of his people, he “…turned to the Lord God and
pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth, and ashes.”
Repentance is about facing our sins head-on, then turning away from them.
During Lent, ashes and the cross serve as powerful reminders of what Lent is really
supposed to be about-repentance and sacrifice. We don’t use ashes at Enon, but for
the past several Lenten seasons, we have made cross necklaces available. We
encourage everyone who takes one to wear it every day throughout Lent and
remember ALL it stands for as we pray with the Psalmist: “Search me, O God, and
know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive
way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” –Psalm 139: 23, 24
As we do this, we’ll be prepared to fully celebrate Easter…the Resurrection Life
we’ve been given through our wonderful Savior-JESUS!!!
Pastor Tammy
