Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.

You may recognize the lyrics above as part of a light-hearted children’s song, but they carry extra weight today. No, not because the song was an homage to the Great Plague of London in 1665 (a popular modern myth), but because today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season. 

Biblically speaking, ashes represent a time of mourning. To wear sackcloth or cover yourself in ashes was a visible expression of mourning, shame, and repentance. David does this to mourn the death of Abner, the commander of Saul’s army in 2 Samuel 3:31.  Jacob does this when he hears word that his precious son, Joseph, had been mauled by a wild beast in Genesis 37:34. The resistant prophet, Jonah, tells the people of Ninevah that God will soon destroy them for their wicked ways, and how do they respond? By commanding a public display of repentance: wearing sackcloth and ashes.

Ash Wednesday is a continuation of this practice. In 601 AD, Pope Gregory I established the Lenten season as a time of fasting, prayer, and charity toward others as a way to honor the life and death of Jesus Christ. Still, to this day, the season begins on Ash Wednesday with a service that includes the placing of ashes on the forehead of those who attend.

And although this may seem bizarre to us, there is something beautiful about this practice.

Firstly, because it gives a physical, outward representation to what is already inwardly true. We are broken, sinful people. We have failed to uphold God’s Law. We have not attained the degree of righteousness that we ought. The wrath of God is stored up for the ungodly, a descriptor that appropriately applies to both Ninevah and all humanity. For there is no one, no, not one, who is righteous before God on their own merit. (Rom. 3;10; Ps. 14:1-3, Ps. 53:1-3).  

As a result, it is appropriate that we find ourselves often in the position of mourning over our sin. Even though we know the Gospel, it is beneficial to reflect on our own failings.  Because it’s only as we see the depravity of our own hearts that we begin to enhance our understanding of the grace of God for us in Jesus Christ. 

I referenced this on Sunday, but I wanted to include the actual image of the “cross chart” for you all here.  (see attachment) 

Notice the diverging angles of the graphic: awareness of my sin and awareness of God’s holiness. As my understanding of these two concepts increases, I am left with two options: despair or rejoice.

If I have no hope in Christ, then there is nothing to bridge the gap, and I am left only to despair. To mourn as one without hope. 

But, if I know the Gospel, that Jesus Christ, and he alone, enters into my darkness, bears my sin and shame on the cross, pays my debt, and transfers his life to me through faith, then I have infinite cause to rejoice. I have been saved by grace through faith. (Eph. 2) I have been washed clean of my wretched sins. (Rev. 7:14) I have been made new. (2 Cor. 5:17) I have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. (Col. 1:13-14)

One might ask: “This is such great news! Why focus on my own failure when I could focus on Christ’s glory and grace!?”

A good question.

But look again at the cross chart. Apart from a deeper understanding of my sin AND a deeper understanding of God’s holiness, there is no deeper appreciation for the Gospel.

This is why the Apostle Paul lays out such an incredible argument in the first 11 chapters of Romans. He spills no small amount of ink to assure us of the fact that we are sinful, God is holy, and that the only remedy to that reality is the grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

And only after explaining this in depth does he say the following:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy [in other words, in light of your sinfulness, God’s holiness, and the Gospel of Christ!], to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.  DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND. (Rom. 12:1-2)

And this, dear brothers and sisters, is why Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season have so much to offer us as protestants. Firstly, because it gives a physical, outward representation to what is already inwardly true. We are broken, sinful people. And secondly, because it is a bulwark in the face of a culture that believes and teaches the opposite.

Our culture believes and perpetuates the lie that we are all inherently good and that the greatest form of love to be found is that of tolerance. Therefore, to appease our own souls, we call all things good which God hates. We not only commit sin with little to no remorse, but also encourage and applaud others who do the same. We live with a sense of entitlement, becoming gods in our own eyes, and living with no concern for the things of the Lord. And such were all of us before Christ!!

In a world where “anything goes,” there is great benefit to taking time to reflect on the truth of Scripture.

We are not inherently good.

We are not the judge of what is right and wrong.

We are not guiltless and free.

We cannot save ourselves.

We are fallen… in mind, body, and soul… and slaves to sin. 

And for that, we mourn. 

It may seem strange to see the ashes on the foreheads of your neighbors and coworkers. It may feel strange to see the little children with black dust on their faces. 

But know this: those ashes are a far more accurate representation of our standing before God than anything our world will ever call "normal." 

And for this reason, I want to encourage you all to take advantage of this day. Don’t let the strangeness hinder you from considering the sacred.

In a world of “lost souls,” the Christian should appear strange at times. Do not be conformed to this world. But be transformed by the renewing of your minds.

How? By continually reflecting on the following things:

The holiness of God.

The sinfulness of your own soul.

The GRACE OF GOD IN CHRIST, which bridges the gap. 

Ash Wednesday is an opportunity to do just that. My prayer for each of you is that this day, and this season, would provide you with ample opportunity to reflect on your neediness… and to celebrate that though our sins are like scarlet, and worthy of sackcloth and ashes, our Savior has washed us white as snow. (Is. 1:18) And that turns our mourning into joy! He trades us a crown of beauty for ashes! (Is. 61:3)

You don’t need the ashes on your forehead. 

You need only to pray and pour your heart out before the Lord.

Consider the following questions as a guide:

Where do you see your own brokenness, weakness, or sinfulness causing harm to those you love?

What areas of your life have you been withholding from Christ’s lordship?

Where are you still attempting to earn your place? Where do you need the assurance of the Gospel of Grace preached into your life?

Who have you failed to love well? (Spouse? Parents? Neighbors? Family?)

Where do you still need the transformational work of the Holy Spirit in your life? Where are you still thinking with an unrenewed mind?

As you pray, remember that, though you are dust and to dust you shall return…

That though we are ashes, ashes, and one day will all fall down…

That we do not mourn as those without hope… 

For our confidence is not in flesh and blood… or the things of this world…or in our own strength...

But in Christ, our King, our Savior, and our Friend, by whom all things are made and sustained, and for whom all things are made and sustained.

And in whom we, wretched sinners as we are, have eternal life and the forgiveness of sins.

What a Savior. What a Friend. What a HOPE we have in Jesus.

May this day, and the Lenten season, fill you with an inescapable sense of God’s love for you. Don’t run from the ashes. Don’t hide from the Holy. Embrace them both, because the Gospel is yours. Amen!!