February 17 marks the the beginning of the period of Lent for the year 2021. Some Christians might dismiss this period, saying keeping this kind of dates is from the Catholic traditions, or say Easter is a date that was adopted from pagan religions. However these dates are not holy in themselves, but simple a time Christians set apart to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ, and their resolve in following Him with their whole lives as a living sacrifice.

Just as Islam has Ramadan, a period of fasting and meditation on the Quran, Christians can also use the period of Lent as a time of meditation on the path of the cross that Jesus walked which atoned for the sin of the world. More than any rituals, or the honoring of traditions, this is a time for follows of Jesus to align their hearts with how the Lord’s heart carried the burden of sin with love and obedience. Believers should know this love more deeply day after day, year after year:

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1Co 13:12-13

Immanuel Community Church Sydney will be doing a 40 day devotional based on John 13-17 until Easter, those interested can contact the church for more detail either through its Facebook page or through the contact us page.