Did Jesus get the weekends off during the 40 days in the desert?

[tajm]

Today at church, my pastor told my kids that they could play their video games today because Sundays were "off" during the time of Lent. You see, that's what me kids said they were giving up for Lent. My pastor explained to me that from Ash Wednesday to Eastor was really 45 days instead of 40. Because of this he says the Sundays don't count. I told my pastor that I understood what he was saying, but I didn't agree with his reasoning. I asked him if he thought Jesus got the weekends off when Satan was tempting him in the desert. I think he took my comment to be offensive. Is this just me, or does this seem like a loop hole in the true meaning of Lent? Could someone please explain this to me?

Thanks,
tajm

[desert_island_1]

I do see what you mean but I cannot really explain it. I chose to 'give up' potato chips this year for lent, including Sundays. I think it will be good long term cuz I do eat too many of them anyways!

[flywithchrist06]

In my opinion, I think everyday from ash wed. to easter should count. I see what the pastor is saying also, but personally I don't think it would matter as much to me as it does now if I 'took off' sundays, I'd be looking forward to sundays and not thinking about God as much. It would take away from the whole meaning of lent. But again thats just my opinion.

[sinner/SAVED]

The early church considered every Sunday (the Christian Sabbath, Jesus arose on Sunday) to be a "little Easter". This is why Sunday's are off days for our fasting during Lent. Easter is a day of rejoicing, and every Sunday is also a day of rejoicing.

[ClementofRome]

herev commented on this in another thread that Sunday's are mini-resurrections days and thus are not included. Though I see the logic, I also believe that if it is a serious matter to you (and remember that it is no where commanded that we do this) and you want to explore this spiritual discipline, it would seem to me that one would want to follow through for the entirety of the 45 days...or just start 40 days out, since Ash Wed is arbitrary anyway. The Orthodox seem to be most serious about Lent and the rest of us have varying commitments.

[WesleyJohn]

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[ClementofRome]

Agreed WJ.

Another point I would make is that the fast should be internalized and not externalized. To brag about one's fast seems also to defeat the purpose. This should be between yourself and God. Whose buisness is it whether I fast or not, or how dedicated to my fast I am...only God knows for sure.

Bill' Bright's 40 day fasting has become legendary, and I think that this is a shame. It says, "Look at me, I am fasting for 40 days....am I not the epitomy of Christian selflessness and dedication?"

[Brotha Ballew]

i don't fast for lent at all, because lent is saying Jesus gave up his life for us, so now we must give up something for him, but i say Jesus gave up his life for us, so now let's give him our lives, all the time. I'm not against fasting though, but it should not be at a set date. You should fast when want God to move in a certain area, such as healing a sick friend or something.

[Penguin50388]

I personaly don't see the real point in giving something up for lent. If there is something in my life that I need to cut out I would rather just cut it out and not wait until a specific time of the year to do it. Instead of giving something up, this year I am going to start picking up new things that are spiritualy healthy for me. Like my comitment this year is to add more time to my quite time.

[Crono]

From my understanding, the traditional Lenten practice has been that Sunday is a day to celebrate, and it was therefore acceptable to take part in what you had given up for Lent on that day. This is apparent in the fact that there are 45 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter even though Lent is only supposed to be 40 days. Take out the Sundays and you get the 40-day fast.

[sinner/SAVED]

I personaly don't see the real point in giving something up for lent. If there is something in my life that I need to cut out I would rather just cut it out and not wait until a specific time of the year to do it. Instead of giving something up, this year I am going to start picking up new things that are spiritualy healthy for me. Like my comitment this year is to add more time to my quite time.

The purpose of the Lenten fast has nothing to do with us or what is good for us or something we need to cut out of our life. It is not the same as a New Year's resolution. The purpose of Lent is to give something to Jesus because of what He has given us. It should be something that we would notice missing. Every time we miss it we will think of Jesus and what He did for us.

[Penguin50388]

The purpose of the Lenten fast has nothing to do with us or what is good for us or something we need to cut out of our life. It is not the same as a New Year's resolution. The purpose of Lent is to give something to Jesus because of what He has given us. It should be something that we would notice missing. Every time we miss it we will think of Jesus and what He did for us.

Never heard it described that way before, but that does make a lot more sense than just trying to be better.