Lent can sometimes feel more like running a marathon. It’s 40 days of saying “no” to our wants and wrestling with habits we’d rather ignore. Denying ourselves in any way can feel like gritty, unglamorous work. We’re about halfway, with Easter still a few weeks off. By now, the Lenten process can wear thin. We may wonder why we’re working through Lent in the first place.
Then, all at once, 1 Peter 2:24 cuts through the haze like a lifeline: “...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you are healed.” This verse reminds us that Lent isn’t about punishment—it’s a practice—it’s about penance and repentance. Every sacrifice, every “no,” is a step toward the resurrection, where sin loses and we win.
The Weight of the Cross
Let’s take a look at this scripture a piece at a time. “He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree.” What comes to mind when you read this verse? Jesus was beaten and scourged and then had to drag the cross up the hill to Golgotha. Imagine splinters digging into His shoulders—the weight of every lie, every betrayal, every dark thought pressing down on His bleeding, battered body.
He wasn’t only bearing the sins of the jeering crows or the Roman soldiers. Christ bore the sins of all mankind—including our sins—yours and mine. That includes every piece of gossip we’ve listened to or spread, grudges we’ve nursed since Christmas, and the apathy that keeps us from loving like we should.
The tree (the cross) was brutal—it wasn’t only an execution device. It was a transaction. Jesus paid our debt, right there, with His own flesh and blood.
Dying to Sin: The Call
But why did Jesus take on our sins? “That we might die to sin and live in righteousness.” This is the foundation of the verse and Lent. Jesus didn’t drag our guilt to Calvary so we could wallow in it. He did it to set us free. “Die to sin” isn’t a poetic proclamation—it’s a call to action.
Paul writes about this when he says, “Or do you know that as many of us were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4 NKJV)
Sin’s like a parasite that latches onto us, whispering that we can’t change, that we’re stuck where we’re at. Lent says otherwise. When we fast from chocolate or social media, it’s not about the thing itself. It’s about breaking the hold it has over us. It’s dying to the idea that we need that comfort and distraction to survive. Christ’s death makes it possible, while our choices make it real.
Lent as a Mirror
Consider how Lent mirrors that dying. We’re about halfway through to Easter. Maybe you’ve been fasting from something tangible: meat on certain days or a glass of wine each night. Or maybe it’s deeper: biting your tongue instead of snapping back or carving out ten minutes for prayer instead of watching your favorite program on Netflix.
Each act is a little death—a rejection of sin’s claim on us. Take anger, for instance. You’re stuck in traffic, late again, and the guy in front cuts you off. The old you would have stewed, maybe muttered some bad words. But Lent’s teaching you to let it go—not because it doesn’t sting, but because Jesus already took that sting to the cross. You’re dying to that impulse and choosing to live in God’s righteousness instead.
Living to Righteousness
That’s the thing—living to righteousness. This isn’t a vague, churchy goal. It’s more practical than that. It’s the coworker you forgive even when they don’t apologize or the extra dollar you drop in the collection plate on Sunday. Maybe it’s the patience you muster when your child spills juice for the third time today.
Righteousness isn’t perfection. Instead, it’s a direction and a goal. Righteousness is aiming your life at something better, something God-shaped, because Jesus cleared the way. Lent’s 40 days are a boot camp for that life. Every time we say no to sin, we flex a muscle we didn’t know we had. It’s a muscle powered by the cross and our precious Lord’s sacrifice for our sins. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV)
The Hard Truth
Let’s be honest: dying to sin isn’t a cozy and comfortable process. It’s not all warm and fuzzy. It feels like dying. That’s why Lent drags sometimes. We’re not just giving up habits; we’re giving up pieces of ourselves we’ve clung to for years. Pride’s a big sin—it’s harder to get rid of than caffeine. Maybe you’re the type that hates admitting you’re wrong. Instead, you double down in arguments, even when you know you’re not correct.
This is the mirror of Lent. It shows you that stubborn streak and dares you to let it go. Or fear—another quiet killer. You don’t pray because you’re scared God won’t answer. You hoard time and money because trusting feels risky. Jesus bore those sins, too. The cross says you don’t have to carry them any more. Jesus took our sins on Golgotha.
Resurrection: The Victory Lap
Here’s where the resurrection overturns the script of sin. Lent’s not the endgame—it’s the road to the cross, with Easter and Christ’s resurrection as the victory. When Jesus walked out of the tomb, He didn’t just beat death; He beat sin! It’s done. Finished. The empty tomb proves that sin doesn’t own us unless we let it. That’s the win we’re working toward.
Every Lenten sacrifice, every moment we choose to love is a down payment on Christ’s victory. We haven’t earned this victory. Jesus already did it for us. We’re living His victory, step by step, through Lent and beyond, through the choices we make every second of our lives.
Why is Lent So Hard?
Lent seems like such a massive challenge because of our innate human nature. Sin sticks to us like damp clothes after a rainstorm. We trip, backslide, and wonder if we’re making any progress. But 1 Peter 2:24 isn’t a pep talk; it’s a promise. “He Himself”—not us, not our willpower— Christ did the work on our behalf.
Our job is to follow and trust the One who carried our sins to the tree. Only He has the strength to carry us through Lent. It’s not about being flawless by Holy Week; it’s about being faithful. One day, one choice, one death to sin at a time.
We’re Not Alone on the Road
We’re not traveling Lent alone. Lent’s a communal journey—40 days modeled after Christ’s 40 days in the desert. He faced temptation and won; we can, too, with His help. Lean on your people. Tell a friend what you’re dying to this week—accountability sharpens the edge. Take confession if you’re Catholic.
Confession is penitence; we show we’re sorry for our sins. Repentance shows God that we’ve changed our minds and behaviors. We acknowledge our sinfulness and ask for His forgiveness. We turn away from sin and toward the One who loves us with an eternal love.
A Challenge
We’re halfway to Easter! It’s coming, but the road’s still challenging. That’s OK. The resurrection’s victory isn’t just a future hope—it’s a present power. Every time you die to sin, you’re living proof it’s real.
Pick one thing this week—one habit, attitude--one habit you’ve let slide. Pray about this, and let our Lord know you want to stop this habit. Ask Him to forgive you and help you overcome this issue. Don’t do this because you have to, but because you can and want to. Do this because you want to turn to our Lord. He is ready to offer forgiveness when we genuinely seek Him.
Lent seems like a long process, but it’s leading somewhere glorious—Easter and the resurrection. Jesus bore our sins so we wouldn’t have to. Choose to step into victory, one rough “no” at a time. You won’t be disappointed, and you may be surprised to meet Jesus Christ in the process.
God bless,
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