Today is Ash Wednesday. It’s the day that begins the season of Lent, a season of repentance and humbleness. One of the traditions many churches follow is putting on ashes, but why do we do this?
There are two things the ashes represent.
Humbleness – We recognize we are God’s creation. We were created out of dust and ashes and our earthly body shall return to dust and ashes.
“Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” – Genesis 2:7
“Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.” – Genesis 18:27
Repentance – Something we see repeatedly in the Bible, especially the Old Testament, are people tearing their clothes, putting on sackcloth (like burlap), and covering themselves in dust and ashes as a sign of repentance.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. – Matthew 11:21
So many follow this tradition as a sign of humbleness and repentance. Certainly, the imposition of ashes isn’t required, but it is a very meaningful symbol and tradition for many.
Lutheran Worship: History and Practice, a commentary on Lutheran Worship, one of our Synod’s hymnals, says this about ashes on Ash Wednesday:
“Other customs may be used, particularly the imposition of ashes on those who wish it. This ancient act is a gesture of repentance and a powerful reminder about the meaning of the day. Ashes can symbolize dust-to-dustness and remind worshipers of the need for cleansing, scrubbing and purifying. If they are applied during an act of kneeling, the very posture of defeat and submission expresses humility before God.”
Whether you chose to have ashes or not, my prayer is that we would all keep a humble and repentant heart before God at all times.
Jesus,
You longed for Israel to repent that they might be forgiven. Give us humble hearts. Draw us to repentance. Forgive us.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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