Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Lent is the forty-day period that starts on Ash Wednesday and leads to Easter. It is a season where Christians will take time to fast, pray, and remember our Lord’s sacrifice upon the cross. It is a season that focuses on repentance (turning from sin and turning to God) and on our spiritual disciplines. We take some time in our Rooted in Christ to talk about this, what this means, and what we can do.

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God’s Word.

If you’d like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up.

Click on the image above or this link to watch today’s video.

You can read today’s passage here.

You can podcast this reflection here. You can subscribe through Spotify or Apple Podcasts as well.

Or, if you’d like to read the transcript of the video, keep reading!

Good morning, everyone. I’m Andy Stoddard, and I’m delighted to be here with you on this Ash Wednesday, a significant and holy day for many in our faith. Today, I’d like to take a few moments to unpack what Ash Wednesday represents, what Lent entails, and why this season holds profound meaning for Christians worldwide.

You may notice Christians around you today bearing a small cross of ashes on their foreheads. Here at St. Matthew’s, we’ll be offering the imposition of ashes from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the church office, with a special service at 6 p.m. I extend a warm invitation to join us if you’ve never experienced an Ash Wednesday service before. You’ll likely find it deeply meaningful.

Let’s begin by exploring the significance of Ash Wednesday, starting with a passage from the prophet Joel, specifically Joel chapter 2, verses 12 through 14. Joel implores us to return to the Lord with all our hearts, engaging in fasting, weeping, and mourning. He emphasizes the importance of rending our hearts rather than our clothing, signaling a genuine internal transformation.

Ashes, as you may know, are a historic and biblical symbol of repentance. Throughout Scripture, we see ashes associated with the act of repentance, such as when the people of Nineveh don sackcloth and ashes in response to Jonah’s warning. Repentance, however, is more than just feeling sorry for our sins; it’s about a genuine turning away from sin and toward God.

Moreover, ashes serve as a stark reminder of our human frailty and mortality. The phrase “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” underscores our transient nature and our ultimate dependence on God. Thus, Ash Wednesday prompts us to reflect on our mortality and our need for spiritual renewal.

Now, let’s delve into Lent, the 40-day period that follows Ash Wednesday. Lent is a season of fasting, prayer, and reflection, mirroring Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. Many Christians choose to give up something meaningful during this time as a symbolic gesture of sacrifice, echoing Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Additionally, some opt to take up new practices, such as increased prayer or acts of kindness, to deepen their spiritual journey.

The origins of Lent trace back to the early church, where it served as a period of preparation for baptism, often amidst persecution and adversity. Today, Lent offers us a similar opportunity for spiritual introspection and renewal in the midst of life’s distractions and challenges. It’s a chance to realign our priorities and refocus on our faith journey.

Whether you’re in the Jackson metro area or elsewhere, I encourage you to seek out an Ash Wednesday service and consider participating in the Lenten season. Whether you choose to give up something or take up a new spiritual practice, let this season be a time of deepening your relationship with God.

Thank you for joining me today. Tomorrow, we’ll resume our study of 1 Timothy. Until then, may you have a blessed day.