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It was for our sake that Jesus went to the cross. It was for our sin that Jesus received the punishment that should have been ours. It was love for us that Jesus died an unholy death. Yet, His death freed us from everlasting death and the condemnation that separated us from God’s presence. On that third day, Jesus rose, the tomb was empty. Lent anticipates Easter, but it also reflects upon the events of Jesus’ life and ministry that led up to His resurrection. It is a time to acknowledge and confess our own sin; it is a time to acknowledge and admit our need for our Savior, Jesus.

It is appropriate that the Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday. On this day, we received ashes upon our forehead. These ashes remind us that God created humanity out of the dust of the earth—“from dust you have come.” These ashes also remind us that because of our sin and rebellion against God, we will all die and return to the dust—“to dust you will return.” Ash Wednesday is a somber reminder of our frailty as human creatures and the sinfulness that so thoroughly corrupts us and that death inevitably awaits all of us.

Yet, the ashes we received on Ash Wednesday are in the shape of the cross. While we humbly acknowledge that because of our sin we will someday die, the cross reminds us that death will not be the end of our story. For Jesus died a painful death upon the cross, but death could not hold Him, for He is the Author of Life. Jesus rose victoriously on Easter Sunday thereby conquering death, and we who belong to Christ, have been united to His death and resurrection through baptism (Romans 6:3-5), will also rise again. The ashes of Ash Wednesday remind us that Jesus will not let death have the final word over all who belong to Him.

Christ will raise our ashes on the last day. In the resurrection of the dead, He will give life to our dead ashes, raising our bodies back to life. So Ash Wednesday certainly reminds us of our inevitable death, it also reminds us of our inevitable resurrection! Through the cross and empty tomb, “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). We will not return to the dust and remain ashes forever. Jesus has forgiven us of our sins and given us eternal life. He will raise us from the dead! Until next month…Blessings, Pastor Ferch