WEEKLY READINGS

MAR 10  |  MAR 17  |  MAR 24

MAR 31  |  APR 07  |  APR 14 

This devotional guide is not an exhaustive study of the Lent season. It does not even come close to covering all the history and theology behind it. Plus, depending on what denomination or tradition you look at, those things will likely vary anyway. Think of it more as “Lent 101” – a simple introduction for those who are new to this sacred season and a helpful reminder of the “why” for those who have practiced it for years.  

But this devotional is about more than just information. It’s about formation. 

Our goal is not just to teach but to provide a framework for entering the story of Jesus through observing Lent. Through Scripture, devotionals, reflections, and practical steps, we hope to equip you to center your heart, mind, and home around the Gospel during this season. 

An Invitation to Journal 

We also invite you to journal your journey. Reflection is a key part of Lent. As you read Scripture, engage with devotionals, and experience fasting, write down what God is showing you. Use a notebook or a journaling app to record prayers, confessions, insights, or challenges you face during this time. Lent is a journey of renewal, and journaling helps us recognize God’s work in our hearts. 

Fasting and Abstentions 

As a church, we will be fasting together every Wednesday during Lent. Fasting is a powerful spiritual discipline that deepens our dependence on God, strengthens our prayers, and aligns our hearts with Christ. 

In addition to fasting on Wednesdays, we are also suggesting weekly abstentions. Abstention is slightly different from fasting. Fasting is a complete denial of food (or certain types of food) for a period of time, whereas abstention is choosing to give up a specific habit, luxury, or indulgence as an act of self-denial and spiritual focus. For example, while we will fast from food on Wednesdays, we may also abstain from social media, caffeine, unnecessary spending, or entertainment on other days of the week to redirect our attention toward God. These acts of self-denial create space for deeper prayer, reflection, and awareness of God’s presence. Lent is a season of intentional sacrifice and devotion—not to earn God’s favor, but to draw near to Him. As you engage in fasting and abstentions, do so with the mindset of seeking Christ more fully, longing for renewal, and preparing your heart for Easter. 

The scene that you see above is a 1602 Baroque masterpiece by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio called Supper at Emmaus. It captures the climactic scene in Luke 24 where Jesus sits at the table with two travelers, just as their eyes are opened to see that is truly Jesus, alive and resurrected. 

Notice the travelers’ astonished expressions that make the reveal palpable. One man is caught in the act of pushing his chair away in disbelief, while another stretches his arms out, as if to say, “What is happening?” Look closely at the extended hand of the traveler on the right – it appears almost as if he is touching the canvas itself. 

These small details transform the painting into an invitation. Look at the bowl of fruit and the shadow underneath it – it teeters on the edge of the table, as if about to fall over. This toppling fruit bowl urges – beckons, calls, demands – that we leap forward and catch it before it falls to the floor.  

But what floor?  

 There is no floor in this painting. Caravaggio deliberately did not paint a floor because the floor of the painting is meant to be the very ground we are standing on as we look at the scene. 

This painting is not just a scene to be looked at; rather it is a moment to become a part of. It is not an event that happened in history; it is an event that it’s happening now. Caravaggio wants to pull us into the story so that we are no longer mere observers but are a part of this supernatural moment where these travelers discover that Jesus is alive. 

That is fasting.  

Fasting is not just an ancient practice; it is an invitation to enter the ongoing story of Jesus. it is an invitation to enter the ongoing story of Jesus. It is the act of pushing back from distraction and stepping into revelation. Just as the travelers at Emmaus had their eyes opened to recognize Jesus, fasting opens our hearts, sharpens our dependence, and deepens our awareness of His presence. It is a way of positioning ourselves to encounter Him, of responding to the call to leap forward before the fruit bowl crashes to the ground. 

But why do we fast? Because fasting forces us to engage. It forces us to reach beyond comfort and into deeper surrender. And Scripture reveals six powerful ways fasting does this, drawing us deeper into the story of Jesus: 

1. Fasting to Strengthen Our Prayers: Fasting intensifies our prayers, aligning our hearts with God’s will and making us more aware of His presence. 
2. Fasting for God’s Guidance: Fasting clears the noise, allowing us to discern God’s voice more clearly. 
3. Fasting for Protection: Fasting acknowledges our helplessness and places our trust in God’s power to protect us. 
4. Fasting to Express Grief: Fasting in grief is a way of bringing our sorrow fully before God, refusing to numb the pain with earthly comforts. 
5. Fasting to Express Repentance: Fasting is an outward expression of an inward transformation, humbling ourselves before God and seeking renewal. 
6. Fasting to Overcome Temptation: Fasting strengthens our spiritual resolve, teaching us to rely on God rather than our own desires. 

Ultimately, fasting is not about deprivation – it is about participation. It is about stepping into the story of Jesus, not just as an observer, but as an active participant in His journey of prayer, surrender, grief, repentance, and victory over sin. 

Just as Caravaggio invites us into the Emmaus moment, fasting invites us into moments of revelation, surrender, and dependence. 

What will your response be? Will you step into the story this Lenten season? Will you fast?