Preparing Our Hearts for Resurrection Sunday
Let Me Set the Tone
“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath” (Colossians 2:16). Although Paul wasn’t talking about Lent, the principle still applies. Paul also writes, “One person esteems one day as better than another… Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5–6). Christian liberty cuts both ways—freedom from imposed rituals and freedom to pursue practices that stir up love and good works (Hebrews 10:24–25). In Christ, we are free from any forced obedience like diets and festivals. Likewise, we are free to practice that which honors the Lord and edifies the church.
Our goal is simple. Not to recover a tradition, but to help our church slow down together, repent together, pray together, and prepare our hearts for Resurrection Sunday.
To set the tone for this article, I want to quote something helpful that Carl Trueman wrote on those who observe Ash Wednesday and Lent: “My commitment to Christian liberty means that I certainly would not regard it as sinful in itself for them to do so; but that same commitment also means that I object most strongly to anybody trying to argue that it should be a normative practice for Christians, to impose it on their congregations, or to claim that it confers benefits unavailable elsewhere.”
Because some of these words carry historical baggage, it’s important to say clearly: West Side is convictionally Protestant. Which means that our forefathers of the faith—Wycliffe, Hus, Luther, Melanchthon, Zwingli, and Calvin—were called Protestant Reformers because they protested the unbiblical practices of the Roman Catholic Church and reformed, or recovered, the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). You can read about that history here or here.
Why start here? Because if we are to use words like Ash Wednesday, Lent, or liturgical calendar, I want to make it abundantly clear that we are not slipping back under the brutal weight of law. Rather, we are humbly (and joyfully) submitting ourselves to a communal rhythm of worship. We understand that these words carry things with them, which is why we hope to clarify some things.
What Are We Talking About?
At this point, we should define some terms. Lent is an intentional season of spiritual formation aimed at repentance and renewal as the church moves toward Easter (or Resurrection Sunday). Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. The ashes historically point to biblical imagery of mourning and repentance (Job 42:6; Jonah 3:6). Liturgy simply means “the work of the people” (from Greek leitourgia). It refers to the structured pattern of corporate worship.
While Scripture never commands a Lenten season, it does show rhythms of repentance and preparation—from Joel’s call to “return to the Lord” (Joel 2:12–13) to Christ’s forty days in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1–11), and even the early church setting aside time for prayer and fasting together (Acts 13:2–3).
Like I said above, there is baggage that comes with these terms. Perhaps you were a part of a legalistic church that emphasized obedience and neglected to preach grace. Perhaps you were berated with the law and shamed into submission. If that happened to you, I am sorry. That is not reflective of the love of God or the teaching of Scripture. God is merciful, forgiving, and gracious. I also want to gently warn against an overcorrection. While we do not obey the law in order to earn favor with God, we are told in Scripture that those who love God should obey. Jesus says in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Where these terms are used to coerce or enforce legalism, they should be swiftly erased. However, I want to suggest that there is a way of observing Lent or Ash Wednesday that is redemptive. Plenty of faithful churches over the centuries have developed and kept traditions to the glory of God and the good of the saints. This is not new and liturgy is not a bad word.
Let’s Give Up the ‘Giving Up’
This idea of giving up the ‘giving up’ is something new to me. As I was researching this topic, I came across a short article titled Observing Lent as a Protestant. I could reword it, but I’d rather just paste it.
“[L]et’s give up the ‘giving up’. We are told by Paul that whatever we do, do it to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31). If you consider the things that most people give up for Lent, such as social media or chocolate, they tend to fall into one of three camps:
Something which is bad and you should not be doing anyway.
Something which is good, in which case, why are you giving it up?
Or something which is indifferent, in which case, it does not matter.
We are not called to ‘feel bad’ and ‘abstain from things’ in an attempt to feel the weight of our sins or identify with what Jesus felt as he was crushed by our sins. The Word of God accomplishes that, as does a properly ordered worship service, with the accompanying assurance of pardon.
Which brings me back to my main question: how can Protestants observe Lent? We can do that by reflecting upon what Easter is all about. We can do that by reading the Psalms (particularly penitential psalms: 6, 32, 51, 102, 130, 143); we can do that by reflecting on the passion narratives; we can do that by confessing our sins and fleeing to Christ.
If anything, Lent should just be like an Advent for Easter — a time of preparation, meditating on God’s Word, spending time in God’s presence, enjoying Sabbath rest and public worship. But just like Advent, we can do all these things throughout the whole year. So, if you want to fast (as in real biblical fasting) during Lent, go ahead. Fasting is something we should be doing. If you want to use Lent as a time to reflect more deeply on Jesus Christ, his mission, work, and redemption, do it. Be blessed by it. But do not confuse man-made traditions with biblical piety and practice.”
Why During Lent?
We aren’t necessarily observing Lent in the traditional sense; we are simply following the Lenten calendar from Ash Wednesday to Resurrection Sunday. The greatest factor in this decision was around when to schedule the 40 Days of Prayer our church has done together for years now.
Thus far, there hasn’t really been rhyme or reason for when we begin the 40 Days, which would inevitably result in ending on a random weekday. Instead, if we begin on February 18, 2026 (Ash Wednesday), we will end on April 4, 2026 (Holy Saturday). Forty days between these two dates, excluding Sundays. The desire was to be intentional.
Therefore, we will begin the 40 Days on Ash Wednesday. This will be marked with a Night of Prayer and Worship to set ourselves aside with the expressed purpose of repentance. To feel the weightiness of our sin and offenses against a Holy God. To recognize our desperate need for a Savior. Then we will rejoice in assurance of pardon because of the blood shed by our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross which covers all of our sins.
During the 40 Days, we will teach through a sermon series called Cross & Crown where we will consider what the blood of Jesus accomplished for the saints. All of which will culminate on Resurrection Sunday, where we will gather in worship and adoration.
Questions and Answers
Articles like this can be helpful, but they are limited. Here are a handful of questions I anticipate some of you would have. If your question isn’t answered, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our staff/elders would be happy to talk through this with you.
Are ashes part of the service? No. While it is common to associate a cross-shaped ash mark on your forehead, we will not be doing that.
Are we expected to fast? No. You are not expected to fast as an individual or a family. However, you are certainly invited to. Fasting is a spiritual discipline clearly taught in Scripture. But no, we are not fasting as a congregation.
What happens if I miss a day? You will be forced to wear the ‘cone of shame’ next Sunday. Just kidding. Nothing will happen. We will not be sending out a devotional on Sundays, so maybe you can catch up then or read two in one day.
Is Lent biblical or tradition? Lent is just a tradition, but the practice of fasting, repentance, and anticipation is biblical (Matthew 6:16–18, Mark 2:18–20).
Why use church calendar language? It can be helpful to order the life of our church in an intentional and structured pattern of worship (1 Corinthians 14:40). We are not tied to anything extrabiblical, but where it helps, we might use it.
Is this moving toward Catholicism or Anglicanism? No, no, definitely not. Hence the paragraph above on being “convictionally Protestant”.
Is this a permanent change or just this year? Just this year. Although there’s no reason now that we couldn’t do it again. Like most things, we will all review how it went and decide whether it was fruitful or not.
