Christian Mr. Yaqub Masih and Lent

Christian Mr. Yaqub Masih (literal meaning in English: Jacob Christ).

Our gardener for well over a decade. He fasted for 40 days, called Lent (40 days of fasting, repentance, and spiritual preparation). This pattern mirrors many religious themes of testing followed by triumph, patience followed by reward, which is also seen in Ramadan and Eid in Islam.

Christians observe Lent through fasting, repentance, and prayer, preparing their hearts to fully appreciate the meaning of Easter. Easter marks the resurrection of Jesus—the moment of hope, victory, and redemption.

Lent (40 days) commemorates the time Jesus fasted and endured temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11):

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished.
3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread."
4 But he answered, "It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor;
9 and he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
10 Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Throughout the forty days of Lent, Mr. Yaqub Masih never appeared to be fasting. Despite the rigour of Christian fasting, he remained energetic and carried out his daily duties with the same vitality as before.

 Jesus (peace be upon him) is quoted in the Book of Matthew (6:16-18):

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

I wish Mr. Yaqub Masih and indeed all the Christians a meaningful Lenten season. May this season of reflection and prayer bring you peace and strength. And extend blessings to you during this time of spiritual renewal. Also, Happy Easter to you and your families, and wishing you a joyful and blessed Easter!

 

Aamir Yazdani