Some thoughts on Lent: Avoiding Legalistic Asceticism, or, How to Keep from hurting yourself and others....

For the last week or so, I've been pondering the "spiritual disciplines" of Lent. Many Protestants pay no attention to this season before Easter, since in the New Testament it is never required. Others though, usually in more formal/liturgical traditions, take it very seriously, and see Lent as a time to give up certain luxuries or tastes (say, chocolate, salt, alcohol or red-meat, etc.) believing that such small sacrifices can help in their fight against temptation in more substantive areas of their lives.

Two Bible passages come to mind: One, where Jesus recommends an odd, and very embarrassing act of when presenting sacrifices (think big gifts) to God at the Temple, if you remember you are not reconciled with a brother, to actually leave the sacrifice there--and go and be reconciled first....only then to come back and offer anything to God. (Matthew 5:23,24)

Since one had to literally stand in line, to offer a gift to the Temple priests--and giving, at the time, was a very public thing, Jesus was asking a lot in this--both in losing ones place in line, AND losing ones face in public. It would be an incredible public embarrassment leaving a gift at the altar... Jesus did use exaggeration at times in his teachings to hammer home a point--even impossible hyperbole (like a camel through the eye of a needle), however this teaching was well within the realm of possibility--even if almost unthinkably socially embarrassing--especially in a traditional Eastern culture--where saving face is about the highest priority.

The other passage, illustrating Jesus' point--is in 1 Samuel 15, a story where King Saul disobeyed the prophet Samuel by himself offering very generous sacrifices to God before the Prophet arrived. "To obey is better than sacrifice" (vs. 22) Samuel warned Saul--and so heinous was Saul's disobedience here

that his dynasty was then prophesied to be removed from reigning over Israel--which to a potentate of the ancient near east, was considered a worse fate than his own death.

Both of these passages illustrate a main criticism Jesus had of the most religious people of His day--they ignored the important issues to God--things like mercy, and caring for the poor and weak, while "sacrificing" picayune things like 10% of their herb-garden crop...., or making sure they ceremonially washed their hands several times a day.

All of this mis-prioritizing was evidence of legalism--which is the idea that I somehow must prepare myself for a place at God's table--that grace must somehow be earned, that God will not have mercy on me, until I've done all I can...to "deserve" it.

Such an attitude, while it may be sincere, and has an appearance of humility....is anathema to the meaning of Lent, which is simply, VERY simply, repentance. Repentance is the only solid platform from which we may love, God or others.

Repentance, or "turning around" means you GIVE UP the project of self-reform...and look to God's mercy in Christ. There is no "sacrifice" you can actually give to God to make Him more inclined to accept you, forgive you, and clean you up from the sins you really are guilty of. Real repentance means acknowledging you simply are not able to "do better" or to do good at all, as Jesus' total mercy is the only hope you have. There is no deserving anything at all from God--all good is His mercy, all His faithfulness, all His love.

Legalism ruins people... breeding self-righteousness and judgementalism of others, and making people insufferably arrogant--or despairing (if they are honest). No wonder Jesus hung out with the "sinners," as selfrighteous, legalistic people are just not people you want to be around.

Giving up chocolate, or salt, or even facebook, "for Lent" without giving up yourself first--including any sinful habit or lifestyle you know of, is a lot like taking a sacrifice to the Temple....even while not being reconciled with your brother--priorities WAY out of wack, and evidence you are practicing legalism, looking to earn favor with God.

We already HAVE God's favor, so much so that He in His Son died for us. There is simply no way to earn any favor at all with God anyway, as we owe Him everything--and cannot even imagine putting Him in our debt. The only right response to knowing His great mercy and grace is worship and gratitude, and giving up on self-righteousness, by wholly giving ourselves to Him.

So this Lent let us each give up on sin, give up on yourself, and give up on trying to earn God's attention and favor....and give in to looking to Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2)