DEVOTION / Ashes is not a joke

The church I attend on Ash Wednesday uses ashes from the prior Palm Sunday’s palms to draw a cross on worshipers’ foreheads.

I joke that the pastor will not have any trouble finding space on my forehead to draw an ash cross. He could draw a six-inch-high cross without ever coming close to the little hair that remains around the edges of my head.

Ash Wednesday is no joke

I joke about that. But there is a sober component to this Ash Wednesday ritual. I love the symbolism of imposing ashes. The accompanying words, Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return, are reminders of my mortality. They are a call to constant repentance. The ash cross proclaims that Jesus’ suffering and death have transformed my mortality into immortality. The cross has replaced the eternal death I deserve with eternal life in heaven I could never deserve.

Ash Wednesday is a promise of God’s grace

Ash Wednesday assures, in spite of my sin, [Our Father] has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:9,10).

I am looking forward to worship this evening. No matter how big the pastor draws that cross. And that’s not a joke.