Lent is a season of about forty days leading up to Easter, set aside by many Christians for repentance, prayer, and fasting. Often people give up something they enjoy so they can focus more on Jesus and his sacrifice. What is Lent really about? Not just giving something up, but preparing your heart to celebrate the cross and the empty tomb.
Where Lent Comes From
In the Western church calendar, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and runs until Easter. It is counted as forty days, though the season actually spans about forty-six calendar days because Sundays are not counted as fast days. Christians have observed some form of this season for many centuries as a way to prepare for Easter, the most important celebration of the Christian year.
The number forty echoes several stories in the Bible, especially the time Jesus spent in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry.
Matthew 4:1-2 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
During Lent, many believers follow Jesus’ example by fasting from food or from something else they normally enjoy, such as coffee, sweets, social media, or streaming shows. The goal is to make room in daily life to focus on God, reflect on our need for him, and grow closer to him.
Is Lent Commanded in the Bible?
The Bible never commands Christians to observe Lent, and observing it does not earn God’s favor or make anyone more saved. Our standing with God rests entirely on what Jesus has done for us. That is why Christians have freedom here. Some find Lent deeply meaningful, while others choose not to observe it, and neither group should look down on the other.
Romans 14:5-6 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
If you choose to observe Lent, do it as an act of worship to the Lord, not as a rule to keep or a way to impress others. And remember that the practices of Lent, like fasting, prayer, and repentance, are valuable any time of year.
What Jesus Taught About Fasting
Fasting isn’t something religious people simply made up. Jesus assumed his followers would fast, and he gave them clear instructions about the attitude behind it.
Matthew 6:16-18 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Notice that Jesus said “when you fast,” not “if.” He expected fasting to be a normal part of following him. But he warned against turning it into a show. Fasting is not about looking spiritual or complaining about how hard it is. It is a quiet commitment between you and God.
How to Make the Most of Lent
The heart of Lent is turning back to God. Long before Jesus came, the prophet Joel called God’s people to a kind of fasting that went deeper than outward rituals.
Joel 2:12-13 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Whatever you choose to give up, replace it with something that draws you toward God. Use the time you would have spent scrolling to read the Bible and pray. Let each craving remind you of your deeper hunger for him. It can also help to walk through the season with a mentor or friend who can pray with you and help you process what God is showing you. Most of all, keep your eyes on Jesus and the cross, where God’s grace and compassion are on full display.
The Takeaway
What is Lent? It is a forty-day season before Easter when many Christians use fasting, prayer, and repentance to focus on Jesus. It isn’t required, and it can’t earn God’s favor, but it can be a powerful way to return to the Lord with all your heart.
