Lent

Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday have passed and now Christian churches are turning their attention to Lent beginning with Ash Wednesday. A couple years ago I heard some disturbing information about Lent, along with Easter, Christmas and the like. Most people choose to ignore these facts and live by the mantra that it's what is in their heart that counts. I've been there. I get it.

Nonetheless, Ezekial 8-9 has some interesting history with regard to Lent. In fact, Lent was originally known as the 40 days of weeping for Tammuz, a pagan god. It was rolled into the Christian faith by Emperor Constantine who was one of the early politicians trying to create a one-world religion, hence the term Catholic meaning universal. Now, 40 days of weeping for Tammuz is not what good Christians are doing in their hearts. This much I know. Yet, God has forbidden us from worshipping Him in the ways pagans worship their gods (Dt. 12:30). So what does that mean for Lent?

Well, on that basis alone, I would stop participating in Lent, as I've done with Easter and Christmas (instead my family celebrates the Lord's feasts). Yet, it is interesting to note that the Bible actually speaks of these days of weeping for Tammuz. Ezekial 8:14 says, "...and to my dismay women were there weeping for Tammuz." I read this single verse a year ago and was distraught that so many well meaning believers still perform this pagan ritual. And then today, I read the whole chapter again. In my prayer time, God led me back to this passage. I didn't even know it was about Lent as I began reading it. In summary, God took Ezekial throughout the Temple and showed him the idolatry and pagan ritual being performed in His Temple and said the people have chased Him out of His Temple. He lists the detestable practices he sees. Then in chapter 9, Ezekial sees God send warriors armed for battle. First they come and mark all those who are "sighing and weeping" over the evil deeds in the Temple, and then when the marking is complete, warriors go and kill all those who are not marked.

God takes this stuff seriously, friends. I knew weeping for Tammuz was detestable to God. I knew that worshipping Him in the ways of pagans was forbidden. I knew idolatry was wrong and pagan rituals were wrong, but God hates them so much he will destroy all those who aren't bothered by it, whether engaging in it themselves or not.

Yet, sadly, many in the church today, are following the traditions of men and celebrating at Mardi Gras, having ashes placed on their heads (another pagan practice I'll discuss later) and practicing the 40 days of weeping for Tammuz, thinking its ok, as long as they do it for God.

God says "Don't worship me the ways pagans have worshipped their gods. I hate it!" and we say, "We can worship God in the ways of pagan ritual if we want because it only matters what's in my heart." Does it? Perhaps it matters what is in God's heart.