Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the traditional season of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter (the Greek word for Lent means “forty”). So what? That’s just old, dead tradition stuff, right? Even after my conversion, I thought, “What do I need with tradition? I’ve got Jesus!”
But now? That ‘tradition stuff’ helps me connect more deeply with him. How? By providing a season for me to ponder what’s unfinished and still resistant in me to his work on the cross. Just as meditating on Scripture helps me focus on who I am in him, Ash Wednesday and Lent help me focus on what I have yet to become.
The “Ash” in Ash Wednesday represents the carbon, or “dust,” from which material life is drawn (“ashes to ashes, dust to dust”). But it also reminds me that my old life, the old me, is dead, turned to ash. And that the new life, the Christ-life, is still being formed.
Jesus’ atonement tore a cross-shaped hole in the veil between death and life, between us and eternity. Hence, some churches use an empty cross to celebrate his finished work, our salvation made complete. But others use a crucifix to commemorate his presence in the ongoing work of making us complete. So, which emphasis is correct?
Both. He ascended to prepare a place for us (John 14:3). But he is also present with those who pick up their cross and follow him daily (Luke 9:23). Interestingly, quantum physics casts its vote for both: because time as we perceive it–as an endless progression from “not yet” to “finished”–isn’t real. Time simply is. Most of the stars we see, flamed out eons ago, and yet they are still there. So too, Christ’s work on the cross was completed 2,000 years ago, and yet he is still there … reminding me that I’m not alone on my cross…
He is with me.
“I want to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, to be conformed to his death that by any means possible I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or am complete, but I press on…”
~Philippians 3:10-12
I was brought up a Catholic. I consider myself non religious, but what you wrote here makes perfect sense..
This is a good reminder for today, Mitch.
Thank you, Mary.
I always thought the crucifix with Jesus still on the cross was a misrepresentation since He is now resurrected.
But an evangelical minister once presented the crucifix in his sermon and pointed out how evangelicals tend to jump ahead of Father’s message and forget the intensity of His Passion!
An important part of our process; we cannot reach a crown without a cross.ðŸ¤
A very powerful point, C.A.!
No, He is not. And thankfully, too.
Amen
We do not mean to minimize the suffering Christ on the cross but in Protestant churches the cross is vacant. This is to celebrate the risen Christ. With us ? Always. Accept His invitation as we are in Him, He is in us. That’s why Paul closed his letters with “In Christ…
Yes, I agree with this and it is all about the empty tomb for me….
I’m all in favor of whatever helps you grow as Jesus’ disciple, Carl and Prior.
I never waver in my faith. I was raised as a Lutheran. I know religion in both English and Latvian languages. I pray twice a day. Today the sky is gray and the rain just started falling. Something I cannot explain also happened early this morning. I had two cats Freddie and Tish brother and sister and this morning not even reaching the age of three I found my cat Freddie fallen over and dead. Then you reminded me it was Ash Wednesday.
Amen!
The star analogy is insightful!
Thank you, Anonymous friend.
I get the concept but I can’t make the leap past 2nd commandment. There is a reason why images of God are forbidden. Only the real Jesus is that perfect representation.
Understood, Pete. The analogy is what I’m getting at anyway. However, being a filmmaker, I’m curious: are you against film or television adaptations of the gospel?
That is a great question Mitch and one I wrestle with. Part of my personal issue with the film depictions of scripture is artistic license taken too far. But that is a deeper discussion for another time and here is not a great place for that. Thanks for asking!
on the cross, off the cross, hiding behind the couch … there’s just no escaping Him. 🙂
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Hi! Trying to grow my blog. Follow for follow back? I just followed yours. Sincerely, Mikayla Scotlynd Littrell (MetsMadness the blog)😄
Amen and thank you for explaining lent with such simplicity.
My privilege, Sibongile.
You cause others to think, great post. we are not alone
Thank you, that’s certainly my goal here, L.G.
Amen. Blessings Mitch for sharing this Lenten message. I look forward this time of taking a deeper walk with Jesus. We are never alone as we mature in His light.
Amen to that, Richard.
There is a warning in Matthew 7:22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Please understand, coming to Jesus must be a heart thing not a religious thing. We must fall in love with Jesus. To know Jesus He has to be like a husband, this means becoming one with Him. Giving our heart, mind and soul to Him. John 3 tells us it is a second birth and in Rev. 3: 20 says Jesus is at the door of your heart asking to com in. The KEY to this is HEART. Hugs in Jesus.
I don’t think I have evver considered he purpose of Ash Wedneday. You have given me a reasonable image of the man (me) before the cross, the man on the cross, and the man after his resurrection to new life.
We are ash and dust, but christ intends on givinbg us access into the spiritual, and to be more than ash and dust.
Thank you for your perspective.
Beautiful written. I should bookmark and read to my son.
Thank you, Mimi. I hope he enjoys it.
Well we were told nothing about the word ‘Lent’ at our Catholic primary school, nor of the symbolism of the ash, never questioning as it was squished onto our foreheads, so thanks Mitch 60+ years later.
My privilege, Roy.
A blessed read. Thank you, Mitch.
My privilege, San.
Lovely, Mitch, a great reminder for us all!