Ashes, Ashes, We All Rise Up

On this Ash Wednesday, we finish the Gospel of Mark. The reading is very fitting for today, as we'll see. Tomorrow we need a new book (or two). We've read Genesis and Exodus. Next on the docket is Leviticus. I'm not going to lie to you, it is a difficult book to read. So let's pair it with Romans. Romans will give us plenty of application and depth. There is that in Leviticus too, but it is harder to get to, harder to relate to for beginning readers of the Bible and experienced ones alike. So, tomorrow, Leviticus and Romans. But for today:

Read Mark 16

Today many of us will receive on our foreheads a sign of mortality and of repentance - an ashen blemish. We are dust. To dust we shall return. We are sinful. The wages of sin is death.

Today is the second most somber day in the church year. Second only to Good Friday, our mood in worship this day is quiet and contemplative. We call to mind our many sins and offenses against God. As John in his epistle says, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves" and "If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 John 1:8, 10).

So, let us not deceive ourselves or make God and his Word out to be lies. Let us instead admit that we have sin. I know, it's not a popular notion that we offend God daily. I heard a TV preacher once confess that she used to go to church where she would have to say she was a "poor miserable sinner." But now, she said, she has gotten past the doom and gloom and is now instead living the new life with joy. While there is a lot to be said about joyfully living by the power of the Holy Spirit, we cannot do that without first confessing that we are poor miserable sinners. Otherwise, we make God a liar, and we take the credit for our improved life (because of our positivity).

So with proper repentance we examine ourselves in light of the Ten Commandments. Pull out your Catechism, or turn to Exodus 20, or find the 10 Commandments here, and examine yourself. See your sin. Confess it.

Then take heart. The ashes we will wear today are in the shape of the cross to remind us that Jesus died that we might live. And there's more. In Mark 16 we read today that Jesus died for our everlasting life. You see, death could not keep Jesus. He rose, just as he said. His resurrection was proclaimed by angels, by faithful women, but other disciples and witnesses, by many who saw Jesus after the resurrection. He broke death's bonds. Though we wear ashes for a time, and though our bodies will turn to dust, we have the assurance of eternal life. Jesus tells us today, "Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). And we joyfully respond, "Grant this, Lord, unto us all!"

Yes, we rejoice that in Jesus our sins are forgiven, our lives made new. No matter that I've broken every command of God, Jesus has forgiven every sin! Now, in response to such great love we set out to keep the commandments. No, we don't go on sinning intentionally, cheapening grace and making a mockery of God's Word and Jesus' bloody death. No, we turn from sin. And joyfully live as a forgiven and renewed poor miserable sinner.

And instead of falling (and staying) down as the children's chant goes, we could chant instead, "Ashes, Ashes, We All Rise Up!" Amen.

Pray:

O dearest Jesus, what law hast Thou broken
That such sharp sentence should on Thee be spoken?
Of what great crime hast Thou to make confession,
What dark transgression?

The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
Man forfeited his life and is acquitted;
God is committed.

(LSB 439:1, 5, Public Domain)

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!