GCES Voices: April 2012

What is Lent All About?

Easter is when we celebrate the rising of Jesus after his death on the cross. It is a great day: because of Easter, we don't have to be afraid, and we never have to be apart from God. But at one time, we were apart from God. We can learn about that time and about why Jesus died on the cross during a season called Lent. Lent is the forty day period leading up to Easter.

Why did Jesus have to die?

God cares that we show love for him and for all his children. When we do things that are hurtful to others or that hurt our relationship with God, we become separated from God. And when we can't be near God, our hearts are not at peace. Our hearts are not at rest. The Bible says,'Everyone has done wrong and is far away from God'(Rom 3.23). As if that weren't bad enough, without God's help, there is no way to get back to him. Without God's help, we are lost.

But on the first Easter Sunday, God said, "Even though people have done wrong and are far from me, Jesus has let himself be punished for the wrongs of the people. Jesus took the world's trouble on himself: he died and wasseparated from me. My own child felt my anger instead of you. But now I am not angry anymore, and everything is forgiven. And though Jesus was dead, I have made him alive again, and we'll be together forever."

"Now," God says, "when you do something wrong and you feel like you are far from me, run to Jesus (this kind of running is not with your feet, but with your imagination). Jesus is the way back to me! Jesus has made my anger go away for ever. Run to Jesus and when you are near Him, you will be near to me also. I do love him, and I love you so very much. In fact, I love you so much that Jesus is my gift to you forever, so that whenever you are near Jesus, I will remember what he did to make my anger go away, and I will forgive you. This is how we can be close forever."

What is Lent good for? ...

God has given us a great and comforting gift. ... But it's easy to forget what God has done for us. We forget that it was because of our wrong that Jesus was punished. We can add to our wrongs when we try to make ourselves happy by eating lots of candy or junk food, by buying lots of toys or watching too much TV. We fill up with all sorts of things, always hoping that they will make us happy. We may be happy in the moment, but that kind of happiness doesn't last very long. We just end up wanting more. We are never satisfied by these things.

During Lent, many Christians try to stop filling up with all these other things. Instead, we try to make room for God again. When we do this, we feel nearer to God.

Some ways to remember what God did

Decide with an adult what you can do to make room for God. Giving up some of our comforts also helps us understand how much Jesus gave up for us. Try to give up something each week. You could have a dessert-free day, or a dessert-free week! How about going TV-free? If you give up desert, or video games, or anything that costs money, think about taking the money your family saves, and using it to help someone who has less than you. Can you think of other things you can give up? Can you think of ways to help those who are often hungry, or who are less comfortable?

Now, fill up with something good. Spend some time learning about the days before Jesus died: read the stories about Jesus' last week in your Bible. Imagine what it would have been like to be with him at that time. Do the people who were with Jesus help him? Do they understand what is happening? Right before Jesus was arrested he was very sad and needed to pray, but the friends he brought with him fell asleep. Would you have been able to stay awake?

"The sorrow in my heart is so great that it almost crushes me. Stay here and keep watch with me." (Matthew 26.38 TEV)

Hope

But as you remember the reasons Jesus died don't forget the most important thing ... Easter! Remember that Jesus was not beaten by death. Jesus has won a great victory!He is the only one that could. He is the only one strong enough to overpower death. That's why God chose him to save us.

Remember, because of what Jesus did, we don't have to be afraid, and we never have to be apart from God. Because of Easter, we have hope, and our hearts can be at rest in the presence of God!

Some Places to Read

You may want to read in your favorite Bible about the days leading up to Easter. Look up these passages:

Matthew 26
John 18
John 19. 1-30

Parents and caregivers: This page is written with young readers in mind. Your child may be able to read it and understand all that's written here. However, the ideas are big, and you may want to read with them, or simply use this page as a guide to talk to your child about Lent. If your child has questions that you aren't able to answer, I encourage you to seek out a leader in your church community. You may also send me an email with questions. If your family is thinking of giving up foods, please see the fasting page for suggestions and guidelines.

Source: http://imby.net/easter/kids.html

Posted by: Steven Egay, GCES Batch 1983

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