#GetSent to the Cross
By Ps Ng Zhiwen
A Lenten Meditation
Last Wednesday (the 5th of March) was Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Excluding the 6 Sundays along the way, the 40 days of Lent will conclude on the evening of Holy Saturday (19th April) – the day before Easter (20th April).
We have not seriously observed Lent as a Church. But since this is the year of Getting Sent, I thought it good for us to recall the origins of this ancient practice and relate it to being a missional community.
Lent is indeed an ancient practice. From at least the 4th Century, Christians have observed the days leading up to Good Friday and Easter with fasting and prayer. It was a real serious matter for some like St. Augustine of Hippo, who wrote that “Our fast at any other time is voluntary; but during Lent, we sin if we do not fast”.
I won’t go so far as to claim that, but the point is made.
I do not believe that prayer and fasting during Lent helps us gain more credit in the eyes of God. But I can certainly recommend Lent as an annual rhythm that helps us cultivate spiritual maturity.
What’s more, I think Lent observance is relevant for any Christian, or any Church that is intent on being missional.
The season lasts 40 days, corresponding to the 40 days of fasting that Jesus observed in the wilderness before He commenced His public ministry (Matthew 4:1-2; Luke 4:1-2). I’m certain that as Jesus went through this ‘preparation’, He knew that He was to ‘get sent’ to the cross.
Jesus’ ministry culminated with the events of Easter weekend. In the original 3 days of Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, defeated the devil on the cross and rose in victory over death. They were the high point of the mission for which Jesus was sent – He said that “when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32; see also 3:16-17).
Lent thus marks the beginning and end of Jesus’ ministry.
It is then not too great a leap to think of Lent as “Preparation for our Mission in the manner of Christ”.
Jesus prepared for His ministry with 40 days of prayer and fasting.
Shall we not likewise reflect and prepare ourselves for all that God our Father has tasked us to do?
Jesus’s mission took him down the path of suffering and death on the cross, followed by a victorious resurrection.
Shall we not learn to fellowship with Christ in His suffering, become like Him in His death, and discover the power of resurrection life? (Philippians 3:10)
Isn’t this how we too will bear witness to Christ our Lord and Saviour, and give glory to His name?
I do not think that there is any other way of being a Missional Community and to #GetSent for the kingdom: We must practice the way of Jesus – who was sent to the cross. And I think that observing Lent every year can help us to do just that.
If you haven’t already, why not start this year, and let Lent draw you into a deeper life of being like Jesus.
ps. there are many useful websites and resources on how to meaningfully observe Lent, provided by the Church in Singapore. Feel free to contact me if you’d like to know more.
