The season of Lent (the “Forty” days), began in the 3rd century as a one, two, or six day fast in preparation for Easter. By the early 4th century, the fasting period was extended to 40 days symbolizing the fasts of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. During the early church, converts preparing to join the church on Easter would fast in preparation. Early church fathers such as Athanasius (c. 297-373 AD) and the Council of Nicaea (325 AD), affirmed the importance of Lent. Since then, Lent is recognized as one of the earliest practices celebrated by the historic, global Church. So, how does Lent instruct and benefit us?

First, Lent instructs us in Repentance. Jesus’ wilderness fast was a period of testing and righteousness; ours is a period of testing and repentance—the latter, reformed protestants reckon as a grace. Jesus enters testing without sin (“in him there was no sin”, 1 John 3.5), and emerges sinless. We enter testing as sinners, needing to grow in repentance (“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us”, 1 John 2.8). This is partly why we fast, in response to our need of repentance. Maybe repentance from impulsivity, revealed by our eating or phone habits; repentance from escapism via binging tv series, excess alcohol use, or filling our social calendar; repentance from cultural idolatries like scrolling Instagram for the perfect life or religiously listening to our favorite pundit. Romans 14.23 states: “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Fasting exposes false-trusts; our faith in mini-saviors. Repentance turns us to the Cross of Holy Week, where we find our great Savior, Jesus.

Second, Lent instructs us in Death. Lent begins by being marked out by ashes and hearing the declaration: “From dust you came and to dust you shall return”, we embrace the reality: “Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow” (Ps. 144.4); “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” (1 Peter 1.24-25). This is a reality from which humans desperately run and hide. We distract ourselves with images and promises of forever-youth, invincible strength, curated beauty, and endless pleasure. In modern society the inevitability of mortality is buried, smothered, and drowned out. The fact that Christians spend 40 days meditating upon death is not only counter-cultural but reveals a soberness and fearlessness with respect to death. We can reckon with death because our Savior has entered it and swallowed it. And, by the fruits of his death we are liberated to enter the practice of putting sin to death.

Third, Lent instructs us in Life. The Apostle Paul writes: “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (1 Corinthians 5.14). Ironically, it is by the resurrection life of Christ in believers, that we can put to death sin. “I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.” (Gal.2.20) Typically the fast of Lent is broken by Sunday Sabbath, the resurrection-life celebration for believers. A weekly reminder and celebration that our dying to self is only made possible by being alive in Christ. And, as followers of Jesus who “no longer live for themselves”, Lent then makes way for deeds of charity and compassion.

Lent at Grace Downtown

Join us for our regular Sunday worship services, as well as special services throughout the season (details below). For 2025, Grace Downtown & Grace Meridian Hill will share a sermon series, “Rejecting Jesus.” Sermons can be found on our Spotify page a week after they have been preached. 

Lent 2025 (March 5 – April 19)

• March 5: Ash Wednesday Service, 12pm, Chinese Community Church (500 I St NW)
• April 13: Palm Sunday (normal 5pm service)
• April 17: Maundy Thursday Service (details to come)
• April 18: Good Friday Service (details to come)

If you would like to follow along with your personal worship times at home, please consider checking out the Lent version of the Daily Prayer Project, a ministry of our sister church, Grace Mosaic.