Ash Wednesday

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Introduction: The Season of Lent and Psalm 41

Tonight, as we begin this solemn season of Lent, our focus will be on Psalm 41—and in particular, on the very first verse:

"Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him; the LORD protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; You do not give him up to the will of his enemies."

When I hear those words, I think of two artists painting portraits of each other. Imagine one artist sitting down and carefully studying his friend—paying attention to every detail, every feature, every expression—and painting that portrait with care and love. Then they switch places, and the friend does the same. That’s the picture Psalm 41 paints for us tonight. You and Jesus—looking at one another, considering one another, and reflecting one another.

I. The First Portrait: Considering the Poor

Let’s start with the first portrait: "Blessed is the one who considers the poor." David uses the word "considers," which means to pay attention, to focus, to think intently. It’s like that artist—carefully studying his subject, noticing every line and detail. And David speaks in the singular—"the one" who considers "the poor." This isn’t some general call to be vaguely compassionate to humanity in general. It’s personal. It’s intimate. It’s one person considering another.

So who are these two people? You are one of them—and Jesus is the other. That’s the entire point of this passage. You are the one called to consider the poor—and Jesus is the poor one you are called to consider.

II. Jesus, the Poor One

We don’t often think of Jesus as poor. But remember what Scripture says: "Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor" (2 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus didn’t even have a bed when He was born—He was laid in a manger. He didn’t have a home during His ministry—He said, "The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" (Matthew 8:20). And when He died, He was laid in a borrowed tomb. Jesus became poor for you.

So Lent is a time for us to consider Him. To fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). To pay attention, to study His face, to focus on His suffering, His humility, His love. And as we do, we find ourselves blessed—because the one who considers the poor receives God’s protection, God’s deliverance, and God’s life.

III. The Second Portrait: Jesus Considers You

But now the artists switch places. Now Jesus paints your portrait. And as He does, He considers you. Jesus sees your poverty—not necessarily material poverty, but the poverty of your spirit. He sees your weakness, your need, your sin, your brokenness. And He doesn’t just notice you—He acts on your behalf. He considers you so deeply that He took your poverty upon Himself. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24). "He became sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). That’s the great exchange—His riches for your poverty, His life for your death.

IV. The Heart of Our Faith: Mutual Consideration

This mutual consideration—this two-way reflection—is at the heart of our faith. Jesus looks at you and acts with compassion, mercy, and grace. And you, in turn, are called to look at Jesus with faith, hope, and trust. When you consider the poverty of your Savior—when you focus on His sacrifice, His suffering, and His love—you find yourself blessed. Because in Jesus’ poverty, you are made rich in every way.

So as we enter this season of Lent, let us take time to truly consider. Let us study the face of our suffering Savior. Let us reflect on the depth of His love. And as we do, may we also remember that He is looking at us—considering us with love, compassion, and grace.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.