“For the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith,” Romans 1:17.
“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness,” Ephesians 4:22-24.
“Even now, declares the Lord, return to me all your hearts, with fasting, with weeping [to be remorseful], and with mourning, and rent your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and He relents over our disaster,” Joel 2:12-13.
What is Ash Wednesday? Ash Wednesday is the start of the Lenten period that leads up to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Christians we believe that Jesus was resurrected from the grave with all power in His hand. During this period, we Christians show repentance/sincere regret and remorse for our sins. We believe that Jesus Christ died for them. Ash Wednesday starts the 40 days of sacrifice leading up to to the resurrection. This is the beginning of Lent.
What is Lent? Lent is the 40 days of spiritual preparation of reflecting on the past life of Christ and preparing to honor Jesus’s resurrection. This is a time of prayer, fasting, giving, and commemorating. Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days after His baptism, led by the Spirit to prepare for His earthly ministry and to be tempted by the devil. This serves as a time for repentance and reflection of the faith of believers.
This year, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 05, and ends on April 17.
Holy Week starts this year on Palm Sunday, April 13, and ends April 20. April 20 is Resurrection Sunday. Remember that Jesus gathered with His 12 disciples to celebrate the Passover before He was crucified which took place on Good Friday.
We are to observe the lent spiritual sacrifices. We can devote ourselves in this time to become more spiritual people for the kingdom of God. This penitential preparation is a time for us to be reminded of our faithfulness to God and the work of the kingdom.
In the 9th century, Ash Wednesday worshippers would place the shape of a cross on their forehead as a sign of the first day of Holy Sacrifice to God that stems from the inner life and spiritual devotion to service and worship. It wasn’t just a matter of saying ‘I’m going to let go of TV, coffee, smoking, drinking, sweets, soda, social media, meat,’ etc. It should be a time for spiritual renewal—a devotion of the transformation of ones heart and mind. It should not merely be an outward ritual of material possessions but an inward spiritual transformation to your new life in Christ. Whatever you do, give this time over to God as a time of spiritual renewal of the mind, body, and spirit. We must yield our desires and wants to God’s will, even when it is difficult. Remember it’s a spiritual sacrifice to God.
