The Final Week of Jesus Part 2: Setting the Immediate Scene, Lent
The Call to Repentance in Lent
One of the central themes of Lent is repentance, a Spirit-led turning away from sin and toward God. This act of turning is not just a singular moment but an ongoing process of realigning our hearts with God's will. Repentance is not about despair or self-condemnation; instead, it is about recognizing our need for God's grace and responding with gratitude (McCaulley, 2022, p. 3). The season of Lent provides a structured opportunity for believers to reflect on their lives, acknowledge areas of spiritual drift, and actively seek renewal. This process mirrors the prodigal son's return to his father—a journey not defined by shame but by the joy of reconciliation (Luke 15:11-32). As we engage in prayer, fasting, and acts of service, we embrace the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, allowing our hearts to be shaped anew in preparation for the celebration of Christ's resurrection.
We Must Repent
Jesus' first gospel proclamation carried an urgent call: "The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15, NIV). This message remains foundational to the Christian faith. Peter's sermon at Pentecost confronted his audience with the reality of sin, prompting them to ask, "What must we do?" (Acts 2:37, NIV). True repentance is not merely an acknowledgment of wrongdoing but a response to the holiness of God. When Isaiah encountered God's presence, he cried, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5, NIV). Similarly, in the presence of Jesus, Peter fell to his knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8, NIV). These encounters illustrate how God's holiness exposes our moral inadequacy and reveals the grace available to those who repent. Through Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection, we are not left in our sin but are offered complete forgiveness and restoration (McCaulley, 2022, p. 3ff).
We Must Grasp What We Have Received
God has always provided tangible ways for His people to understand and remember His work. In the Old Testament, He established feasts and sacrifices as teaching tools for future generations. The Passover, for instance, was designed to be a lasting memorial:
"When in the future your child asks you, 'What does this mean?' you shall answer, 'By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery.'" (Exodus 13:14, NRSV)
These rituals were not empty traditions but living testimonies of God's power and faithfulness. In the same way, the Lenten season helps us grasp the depth of Christ's sacrifice. It is not just a time of giving something up but a time of taking hold of what Christ has given—grace, redemption, and a new way of life (McCaulley, 2022, p. 50ff). As we walk through Lent, we are reminded that our faith is not just intellectual but embodied. Just as Israel's sacrifices pointed to something greater, our Lenten practices draw us into the reality of Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
He Loved Us to the End
John's Gospel beautifully captures the depth of Jesus' love:
"Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." (John 13:1)
Lent is not just about self-examination; it is about rediscovering the love of Christ. For much of Church history, Lent served as a period of preparation for baptism—a time when new believers would ready themselves for a life with Christ. Holy Week, in particular, shifts our focus to Jesus' final days, walking us through the events that define our faith (McCaulley, 2022, p. 72ff). Each day carries profound significance:
Palm Sunday: Jesus enters Jerusalem as the humble King.
Maundy Thursday: He shares His last meal and commands His disciples to love one another.
Good Friday: He accomplishes His mission through His sacrificial death.
Holy Saturday: He rests in the grave as we await His victorious return.
Resurrection Sunday: The King rises, securing victory over sin and death.
Lent invites us not just to remember these events but to enter into their meaning. Jesus' love, demonstrated through His suffering, death, and resurrection, calls us into deeper communion with Him.
Conclusion
Lent is a journey—a time to repent, reflect, and receive God's grace anew. It reminds us that repentance is not about dwelling on guilt but about embracing God's mercy (McCaulley, 2022). As we recognize our sin, we also recognize the magnitude of Christ's love, which led Him to the cross.
Like Israel remembering the Exodus, we, too, must grasp the significance of what God has done for us. Through Jesus, we have been set free from slavery to sin. His journey from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday is not just history but our reality. The humble King who entered Jerusalem is the same King who reigns victorious.
As we move through this season, let us do so purposefully, anticipating Easter morning's joy. For in Christ, repentance leads not to sorrow but to life.
Resources:
McCaulley, E. (2022). Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal (Fullness of Time). InterVarsity Press.