Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Ash Wednesday

ASH WEDNESDAY
4 of 12
Matthew 11:21
“Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.”

Repentance and forgiveness of sins is what our loving God is all about. Ever since the fall of humans in the Garden of Eden, God’s objective has always been to bring His children back to Himself. In the Bible’s Old Testament, prophets would tell the people that they were out of line, and God was angry. As a symbol of their being sorry, they’d dress in sackcloth, and put ashes on their heads. They would apologize to God and turn return to obedience. God never stays angry for long, and always forgives anyone who sincerely repents.

Early Christians would often copy the customs of the old days, and put ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday. Today, this somber day of repentance ushers in the Lenten season, seven weeks before Easter. While not many Christian churches expect people to put ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday—all hold this special service in the middle of the week to mark believers’ sincerity during Lent.

Christians aren’t the only people who recognize the need for being sorry for their sins, offences against others, or various crimes. Absolution (ab-sol-U-shon means pardon) is what all people seek when their consciences aren’t at peace. Is this God’s way to get His kids to return to Him?

“What did you mean when you commented that Halloween is so much better than Yom Kippur?” Bobby asked Jules when throwing her a grounder.

Jules scooped up the ball, and stopped. “I just meant that Yom Kippur is the most holy and solemn day of the year for us.” She threw the ball to Miguel.

Miguel asked, “So Yom Kippur is like our Ash Wednesday?” He threw the ball to Bobby.

Bobby said, “Sounds like it, to me. Do you fast then, Jules?” throwing her the ball.

“Well mostly, we pray for forgiveness. It is the ‘Sabbath of all Sabbaths’—whatever that means.” She thought, tossing the ball to herself up high. “We’re also supposed to remember keeping the promises we made to God, by fasting one day.”

Their recess got serious then. When the bell rang, they returned to class unsmiling, in deep thought.

Take Home Nugget


Jules’ high priest would enter the “Holy of Holies” on Yom Kippur, and offer a blood sacrifice for the people’s sins. Jesus, our high priest, currently makes blood atonement (a-TONE-ment means apology) for us. This frees God’s kids to live joyfully every day.
Lord, help us to appreciate everything You do
May our lives show heartfelt sacrifice for You.

J.D. Griffith
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