Happy belated Valentine’s Day 2024. February 14th, 2024 fell on a Wednesday. They call Valentine’s Day a holiday for lovers. It is good business for Hallmark and candy companies. I know my grandchildren raked in a bundle of sugar and chocolate.
This Valentine’s Day of 2024 also marked another occasion for Christendom. It was the beginning of lent. Some observe Ash Wednesday. It is now 40 days, not including Sundays, until we celebrated Easter 2024 and the resurrection of our Lord.
40 means something. It is a significant number in the Bible. It is the length of years for a new generation to rise up. God sent rain for 40 days and 40 nights to flood the earth as Noah and his family were tucked safely away in the ark. 40 is a symbol for the length of time that a trial or a discipline lasts. The children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because of their lack of obedience.
Overall 40 is associated with testing and hardships. Jesus wandered in the wilderness and fasted for 40 days.
”Then Yeshua was led by the Ruach into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. And when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are Ben-Elohim, tell these stones to become bread.” But He replied, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on the highest point of the Temple. “If You are Ben-Elohim,” he said, “throw Yourself down. For it is written, ‘He shall command His angels concerning you,’ and ‘upon their hands they shall lift you up, so that you may not strike your foot against a stone.’” Yeshua said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put Adonai your God to the test.’” Again, the devil takes Him to a very high mountain and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Yeshua says to him, “Go away, satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship Adonai your God, and Him only shall you serve.’” Then the devil leaves Him. And behold, angels came and began to take care of Him.“
Matthew 4:1-11 TLV
The 40 days left Jesus physically weak, but proved Jesus to be the Victor over all Satan’s schemes.
So what can these 40 days leading up to Easter produce in us? The definition of testing is to take measures to check the quality, or reliability, or performance of something or someone, especially before putting it into widespread use or practice. It can be a time of proofing. Making sure your faith is foundational.
So often God has used 40 days to proof my faith, to prove to me I am His, to test the metal of my belief in Him.
40 also represents a time of preparation. What practices can we begin that would prepare our hearts to truly celebrated our risen Lord?
Love numbers and this was spot on. Another really good post.
My constant cheerleader