The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 1 Kings 19:7-8
“Forty days as a period of fasting is equally common in Scripture. Moses fasts twice for forty days and nights on Mt. Sinai: once after receiving the Law (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9), and again when he discovers the infidelity of the Israelites in fashioning the Golden Calf (Deuteronomy 9:18). Elijah travels for forty days and nights without food after slaying the prophets of Baal and fleeing the wrath of Jezebel (1 Kings 19:7-8). The Ninevites fast for forty days to stave off the wrath of God (Jonah 3:4).And forty-day fasts show upin many deutero- and non-canonical texts such as 3 Baruch, Apocalypse of Sedrach, and the many versions of the so-called Life of Adam and Eve…
The Council of Nicea issued canons intended to bring general alignment on matters of liturgical practice and church organization. Among these was the establishment of a common date for the Easter feast that, up until that time, had been commemorated on different days in a given year depending on the method of calculation. While we can surmise that Lent’s establishment before Easter was part of a broader movement toward alignment and standardization begun at the Council of Nicea and continued throughout the fourth century.
There is no evidence that the Council also dealt with Lent, one may surmise that its establishment prior to Easter, drawn from among the various and sundry fasting customs already being observed (including, perhaps, an Egyptian post-Theophany fast), was part of a broader movement toward alignment and standardization begun at Nicea and continued throughout the fourth century. And, if a post-Theophany fast was a hallmark of groups deemed heretical, the establishment of a forty-day Lent prior to Easter would stand in contradistinction as a touchstone of liturgical and theological allegiance.”
Nicholas V. Russo in “The Early History of Lent” in “The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University” (2013: 18-26).
I did further scholarly research and appreciated this reminder from Russo that 40 days of fasting is a common pattern in Scripture and other ancient Jewish literature. It seems fitting then, that it would make it’s way into early church patterns leading up to Easter.
Russo’s research also demonstrated that in A.D. 325 at the Council of Nicea, we see the standardization of Christian practices for more consistent and widespread observance. For example, to unify the church, they picked a common date to observe the Easter feast.
So today I give thanks that all over the world, people will focus on fasting, prayer, and good works in the 40 days leading up to Easter, with the seven Sundays along the way serving as feast days to anticipate the celebration of the resurrection. I hope you observe Lent with me.
Just like we learn new things when we explore Scripture afresh daily, this season helps us grow by practicing disciplines. Again, download my free Lent Companion here. And ask yourself: How might God want me to grow related to prayer, fasting, and good works this Lent?
I pray, like Elijah, that the food you eat now, strengthens you for your Lenten journey. And I appreciate your prayers for Trevor Lui, GTP COO, and me. We have a full slate at ECFA today and tomorrow recording a podcast, an audiobook, and many meetings. Thanks.
And it”s fitting to be at ECFA on a day when the them of this post is standardization: that’s the aim of peer accountability groups like ECFA around the world. When churches and ministries follow standards together it reflects a consistent witness to a watching world.