Thursday, February 26, 2009
Being raised in a Baptist church, I had a vague notion of Ash Wednesday and Lent. I knew these were mainly Catholic Holy days that I didn’t have to worry about. But as I learned the history behind these days I’ve discovered that they could be very powerful in preparing ourselves for the Easter Season. So I want to share a brief history and an application or two from these Holy Days.
Ash Wednesday is a Christian holiday (holy day) that is not a biblical requirement. Nevertheless, it has been honored by Christians for well over ten centuries at the beginning of Lent, a six-week season of preparation for Easter (I'll say more about Lent later). In the earliest centuries, Christians who had fallen into persistent sin had ashes sprinkled on their bodies as a sign of repentance, even as Job repented "in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6). Around the tenth century, all believers began to signify their need for repentance by having ashes placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. This sign of sinfulness hinted at the good news through its shape.
Today, celebrations of Ash Wednesday vary among churches that recognize this holiday. In some churches ashes are placed on foreheads as a reminder of our mortality and sinfulness. We can be reminded of what God said to Adam, "You are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Gen 3:19). This is the bad news of our sinfulness that prepares us to receive the good news of forgiveness in Christ.
Ash Wednesday is an opportunity for all of us to acknowledge together our frailty and sinfulness. None of us are perfect but we have been perfectly forgiven by trusting Christ. Ash Wednesday is a great reminder that we all need a Savior.
Ash Wednesday also marks the beginning of Lent. Most people associate the word lent with giving up something or fasting. It’s easy to give up something you don’t really like. For example, “I’m giving up brussel sprouts for Lent”. A student might say, “I’m giving up homework for Lent”. Actually, the word Lent comes from an old word that means springtime. Lent is a time of preparation to experience God’s grace and goodness more fully through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s a time to do something extra for God, not just give up something for God.
Here’s an idea. Add some extra time to your devotional time with God (you may have to make extra time by giving up something to do it). Read a chapter a day from the Gospels. Start with the Gospel of Mark. Read it like you are being introduced to Jesus for the first time. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with wonder and amazement from the Life of Christ. After Mark, read another Gospel. You have 40 days so there is plenty of time to fully be refreshed by closely examining the Life of Christ in the Gospels.
Lent is a time to prepare ourselves for the best time of the year…Easter. As you do, may God deepen your love for Him and strengthen your faith in Him. May we know our own frailty and sinfulness and joyfully live in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. In this Lenten season, let’s devote some extra time and attention to the One who gave His all for us.
Because He lives,
Pastor Tim
Ash Wednesday is a Christian holiday (holy day) that is not a biblical requirement. Nevertheless, it has been honored by Christians for well over ten centuries at the beginning of Lent, a six-week season of preparation for Easter (I'll say more about Lent later). In the earliest centuries, Christians who had fallen into persistent sin had ashes sprinkled on their bodies as a sign of repentance, even as Job repented "in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6). Around the tenth century, all believers began to signify their need for repentance by having ashes placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. This sign of sinfulness hinted at the good news through its shape.
Today, celebrations of Ash Wednesday vary among churches that recognize this holiday. In some churches ashes are placed on foreheads as a reminder of our mortality and sinfulness. We can be reminded of what God said to Adam, "You are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Gen 3:19). This is the bad news of our sinfulness that prepares us to receive the good news of forgiveness in Christ.
Ash Wednesday is an opportunity for all of us to acknowledge together our frailty and sinfulness. None of us are perfect but we have been perfectly forgiven by trusting Christ. Ash Wednesday is a great reminder that we all need a Savior.
Ash Wednesday also marks the beginning of Lent. Most people associate the word lent with giving up something or fasting. It’s easy to give up something you don’t really like. For example, “I’m giving up brussel sprouts for Lent”. A student might say, “I’m giving up homework for Lent”. Actually, the word Lent comes from an old word that means springtime. Lent is a time of preparation to experience God’s grace and goodness more fully through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s a time to do something extra for God, not just give up something for God.
Here’s an idea. Add some extra time to your devotional time with God (you may have to make extra time by giving up something to do it). Read a chapter a day from the Gospels. Start with the Gospel of Mark. Read it like you are being introduced to Jesus for the first time. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with wonder and amazement from the Life of Christ. After Mark, read another Gospel. You have 40 days so there is plenty of time to fully be refreshed by closely examining the Life of Christ in the Gospels.
Lent is a time to prepare ourselves for the best time of the year…Easter. As you do, may God deepen your love for Him and strengthen your faith in Him. May we know our own frailty and sinfulness and joyfully live in the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. In this Lenten season, let’s devote some extra time and attention to the One who gave His all for us.
Because He lives,
Pastor Tim
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