Ash Wednesday and Lent

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Liturgical season of Lent, where we fast for 40 days, just as Jesus fasted (and was tempted) in the desert for 40 days, before He began His public ministry (Luke 4:2). Our 40 day fast leads up to the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection, His most ultimate ministry work for us. And through the Lord’s Supper, He instructs the form of worship to be used to celebrate His victory, “for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes again” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

During this time of Lent we give up something (as a sacrifice), or we take on something (such as additional prayer, service, etc.) to grow closer to God. This time of fasting helps devote us closer to God’s will for us (Matthew 7:21).

We have two  reminders (among many others) in our Christian journey, a cross, which is a sign of Christ’s redemptive work at Calvary through His resurrection. But secondly, and equally as important, we have the crucifix (a cross with Christ still on it), which reminds us of our faith journey, which is isn’t complete simply in the “belief” of Christ’s resurrection, but rather begins with it. We take heed to what Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me”, and use the crucifix as a daily reminder of this commandment.

To begin our 40 days of Lent, we are marked with the sign of the cross in ashes to remind us of our mortality, “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return”, that is until the day the faithful are resurrected (Matthew 24:13, John 5:28).

God be with you as we take on this sacrifice with a loving and humble heart, motived solely to glorify God.

For anyone interested, my song, “We Receive” speaks to the Lord’s Supper, check it out on iTunes.