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Then Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the desert to be put to the test by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, after which he was hungry, and the tester came and said to him, 'If you are Son of God, tell these stones to turn into loaves.' But he replied, 'Scripture says: Human beings live not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' (Matthew 4:1-4)
Christians observe a fast (not nearly as strict as fasting from all foods) for 40 days from Ash Wednesday until Easter Saturday following the example set by the Lord. Some may quibble about what is and what is not a proper fast and a few will observe that there are more than 40 days in the period from Ash Wednesday until Easter Saturday - the reason for the extra days is that Sundays are always feast days in the Church and the number of fast days in the period mentioned is in fact 40. There is no command to fast 40 days and no command to observe Ash Wednesday but the example of Christ is often taken as sufficient reason for adopting a practise in the Church. For example, on the Thursday of Holy Week the Priests (and sometimes the deacons too) in parish churches wash the feet of 12 men (in some places 12 people rather than specifically 12 men) because the Lord washed the feet of the 12 apostles on the Thursday night before his crucifixion on Good Friday. So it seems that the 40 days of lent have precedent in holy scripture even though the fast is not commanded.
Christians observe a fast (not nearly as strict as fasting from all foods) for 40 days from Ash Wednesday until Easter Saturday following the example set by the Lord. Some may quibble about what is and what is not a proper fast and a few will observe that there are more than 40 days in the period from Ash Wednesday until Easter Saturday - the reason for the extra days is that Sundays are always feast days in the Church and the number of fast days in the period mentioned is in fact 40. There is no command to fast 40 days and no command to observe Ash Wednesday but the example of Christ is often taken as sufficient reason for adopting a practise in the Church. For example, on the Thursday of Holy Week the Priests (and sometimes the deacons too) in parish churches wash the feet of 12 men (in some places 12 people rather than specifically 12 men) because the Lord washed the feet of the 12 apostles on the Thursday night before his crucifixion on Good Friday. So it seems that the 40 days of lent have precedent in holy scripture even though the fast is not commanded.
