Thoughts on Self Denial

This post is by Rev. Jim Currant, a retired pastor at Novato UMC:

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 (NRSV)

Preachers love to tell stories. Sometimes they are true. A colleague once told me that he had seen a banner outside of a restaurant that read: “LENTEN SPECIAL: All You Can Eat Buffet!” I wonder how many who saw that notice caught the irony. An “All You Can Eat Buffet” is clearly in step with the times. Lent clearly isn’t. Lent is a self-denying season in a self-indulgent world.

If that sounds somewhat medieval to you, you are not alone. United Methodists aren’t really into a “whip and nails” theology. We believe there is a place for self denial, but the aim of this denial is wider than making life leaner. The purpose is to sweep away some of the clutter in our lives to make room for the abundance only Christ can provide.

“What have you given up for Lent?” It’s a good question, but it should be followed up with another: “What have you taken on for Lent?” The words of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel read loud and clear: self denial is only the first step on our journey with him. Along the way we are to pour out our lives demonstrating our love for him and our love for the world.

This sobering season is soon coming to its dramatic climax, but there is still time to make good on our promises to God. There is still time to do good for heaven’s sake. There is still time to take on something for Lent!