You know, here in the UK, folks get all excited about this thing called Pancake Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday.
They flip pancakes, have family suppers, church events, pancake races... It's become quite the custom, especially in the Church of England and the Episcopal churches. People enjoy it, and that's fine as far as a little fun goes. But let's sit down with the Word and see what the Bible really says about all this, because that's what matters.
First off, the Scriptures don't say a word about eating pancakes on a Tuesday before Lent. Nothing. No command, no suggestion. Lent itself, the 40 days leading up to Easter, isn't commanded in the New Testament either. We read about Jesus fasting 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), and that's a beautiful picture of Him overcoming temptation for us. But the Bible doesn't lay out a church calendar that requires us to fast or give up things in a set season to prove our spirituality.
Now, historically, this Pancake Tuesday came about in the old medieval church times. Back then, during Lent, people were told to fast strictly, no meat, no eggs, no dairy, no fats. So, on the day before Ash Wednesday, they used up what was in the house to keep from wasting it. Eggs, milk, butter, mix em up, make pancakes. Practical, I suppose.
The name "Shrove Tuesday" comes from the old word "shrive," which meant confessing sins to a priest and getting absolution. Folks would go to the priest, confess, do some penance, and feel "shriven", cleaned up before Lent started. The shriving bell would ring, calling people to confession.
You know, that practice goes way back, around the year 1000 or so in England, and even earlier in the broader church. It was part of the system before the Reformation. But here's the thing, beloved, after the Reformation, when the light of the Gospel broke through again, people began to see that we don't need a man in between us and God.
Jesus is our High Priest. We confess our sins directly to Him. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." No booth, no priest pronouncing absolution, no works added to faith. Just come to Jesus, confess, and trust His finished work on the cross. That's the beauty of grace!
In the UK today, a lot of this has become more cultural than religious. Pancake suppers in Anglican churches, fun for the kids, community fellowship, it's harmless as long as it doesn't replace real heart repentance or become a ritual we think earns us points with God.
Some churches tie it to Lent preparation, but for us who love the simple teaching of the Word, like we do here at bornagainchristians.org, we don't follow liturgical seasons or add extra rules. Our focus is verse-by-verse through the Bible, letting the Holy Spirit speak directly to our hearts.
What really counts, friends? God doesn't look at the outward stuff, the pancakes, the fasting rules, the traditions. He looks at the heart.1 Samuel 16:7 "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" That is the key. If your heart is right with God through faith in Jesus Christ, by believing He died for your sins, that He rose again, and you are trusting Him alone for salvation, then enjoy a pancake if you want!
Thank the Lord for good food, for family, for His provision. Or just skip it, its no big deal. Salvation isn't in the traditions; it's in Christ alone, by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Don't let any man-made custom come between you and the simplicity that's in Christ.
Just keep walking with Him day by day, studying the Word, praying, loving others. That's the real preparation for whatever season we're in.
If Pancake Tuesday gives you a chance to share the Gospel with a neighbour over a stack of pancakes, praise the Lord! But let's never add anything to the cross. Jesus paid it all.
God bless you. Keep looking up. Jesus is coming soon!
In His love,
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