Giving up something for Lent
How is the Lenten Season celebrated/practiced in the Lutheran religion? Do you abstain from any certain types of foods on certain days? In the Catholic religion, it is customary to "give up" something for lent like chocolate or something that you really enjoy. Is this practiced in the Lutheran Religion?
Generally, Lutherans do not “give up” something for Lent, although the practice is not unknown among Lutherans. Going without something can be helpful when it reminds us on a daily basis that the Lord Jesus gave up his life so that we might be freed from the curse of our sins. St. Paul reminded the Corinthians: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (Corinthians 8:9). This is a good reason for what is sometimes called “Lenten self-denial.”
Lutherans tend to steer away from Lenten self-denial, however, because it has so often been abused in the Christian Church. Too many people “give something up” during Lent because they think they are making points with God, earning by their self-denial at least a little part of his forgiveness. The Bible rejects this thought completely. Peter wrote: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19). In the hymn “Rock of Ages” we sing, “Nothing in my hands I bring; simply to thy cross I cling.”
Lutherans believe that the forgiveness of sins is God’s free gift to human beings. They believe that God forgives sins because Jesus met the demands God made of sinners. In the place of sinners, Jesus lived perfectly and obeyed all the laws God had set down for sinners. In the place of sinners, Jesus died, enduring the punishment God had decreed for sinners.
Because they believe that forgiveness is theirs because of Jesus’ life and death, Lutherans focus on Jesus’ life and death during the season of Lent. On the Sundays of Lent they watch as Jesus battles and overcomes Satan and his cohorts. During special services during the week, most Lutherans review the story of Jesus’ final days on earth–his visit to the Garden of Gethsemane, his betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial.