Ash Wednesday

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend 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 disaster (Joel 2:12–13). Today, our Lord calls us to repentance—as a nation, as a church body, and as individuals. Martin Luther wrote that the whole of the Christian life ought to be one of daily repentance. This is true. Because we are sinners immersed in a sinful world, we ought to be so accustomed to repentance that it becomes as natural as breathing.

We ought to be, but guess what? As St. Paul says, the things I ought to do, the things I want to do, I find myself not doing (Rom 7:15). Life comes along and catches me up with a thousand cares, and my sinful heart is only too happy to be led along. Until one day we look up and ask, “What happened? When did we get so far off track? I thought I was walking step for step with Jesus, but suddenly I realize: God and his Word are here and my heart is over there. How did we grow apart? And is it too late to come back?” It is not too late. “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart.” Today, as long as it is still called “today” is the day of your visitation. Return to the Lord, your God for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

And where should our repentance begin? Perhaps for the notion that God is so full of love that he would never allow disaster to come upon sinners. This is the heresy of our age. Our godless world teaches that nobody really needs to repent because God would never punish sin with divine retribution. If this is true, then Jesus died for nothing. Jesus died for sinners. He died to suffer the divine retribution in our place. And on the day of the Resurrection, when Jesus appeared to his disciples and gave them the authority to forgive sins, what did he show to them as proof? He showed them the wounds he suffered on the cross. He showed them the evidence that he had indeed taken upon himself the sin of the whole world.

The bloody death of Christ shows us two things: First, we see the terrible wrath of God poured out against all unrighteousness. God didn’t sweep our sin under the carpet. He didn’t ignore it, or pretend that it didn’t exist. Every last sin had to be paid for in full. And second, the cross of Christ shows us the boundless mercy and love of God. He desires that every sinner would not perish, but would instead turn away from sin and receive the forgiveness of Jesus along with eternal life and every blessing.

All are invited to leave the darkness behind and come into the light of Christ. All are welcomed to come in out of the storm. This is why Jesus established his church – as a sanctuary and refuge from the destruction of sin, wrath, and judgment. Here, even though we are surrounded by the hurricane, there is peace and safety, because we are gathered around our crucified and risen Lord. But apart from Him, apart from the forgiveness that he offers freely to all who turn away from sin, there is nothing but disaster.

The ashes on your forehead confess two things: First, that you are a sinner and all sinners must die. God’s justice is perfect. From dust you came and to dust you shall return. But secondly, we confess that God is also perfect mercy. The ashes form the shape of the cross. This is where the justice and mercy of God meet and are reconciled – at the cross and nowhere else. This bloody, gory instrument of torture, which reminds us so painfully of the cost of our sin, is also the symbol of all our hope and joy. By his punishment, we are forgiven. By his wounds we are healed. His shame is our glory. Because of his death, we may live.

As we examine our hearts this Ash Wednesday, what do you find? Has your heart grown distant from Christ and his Word? Have you been ashamed of his Message that calls all sinners to turn and repent? Have you desired to blend in with our sinful world rather than standing out as a bright light? Have you forgotten the need to live in daily repentance and forgiveness? Then hear your Lord’s call tonight, while it is still called “today.” Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart.” Come with a repentant heart to eat and drink from his Table. Come with all your doubts, and your struggles, and your sins. Come crying out, “Lord, I believe your Word. Even so, help my unbelief.” Jesus hears and answers this prayer. Is his forgiveness real? Oh yes. It is as real as the wounds in his hands and side. It is as real as the cross that is upon your forehead. It is as real as the Body and Blood that awaits you at his altar. Come and receive it. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful. Amen.