Sackcloth, Ashes, and Brussel Sprouts
On Wednesday, February 22, it was South Church’s 353rd birthday and that’s what I focused on that day. However, in 2023, February 22, is also Ash Wednesday – the first day of Lent. The Bible actually does not mention Ash Wednesday. In fact, neither does it mention Lent. Still, in 2 Samuel, Esther, Job, and Daniel, there are accounts of people using dust and ashes as symbols of repentance and/or mourning. The early Christian church adopted this practice and modified it, rubbing ashes in the shape of a cross on a person’s forehead. It is the equivalent of being “sprinkled with ashes” (Daniel 9:3), as well as identifies that person with Jesus Christ.
Early church father Irenaeus of Lyons in the second century wrote of a Lenten season, but back then it lasted only two or three days. It wasn’t until the Council of Nicaea in 325, that the idea of a 40-day Lenten season (40 days, not counting Sundays) from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday became a tradition. During this time, believers would practice a period of fasting, moderation, and self-denial. An imitation of sitting in sackcloth and ashes. Believers may eat sparingly or give up a particular food or habit. Perhaps give up smoking, or to swear off watching television, or the internet. It is six weeks of self-discipline. Of course, the idea is giving up something we enjoy. It doesn’t count to give up brussel sprouts, if we don’t eat them in the first place. One should not play games with God. It never ends well. No, we should deny ourselves something we like. How about putting our smartphone in a drawer for 40 days? Huh? That would be something, wouldn’t it?
Why do all this to begin with? The Season of Lent is meant to be a way for Christians to remind themselves of the value of repentance. The prophet Joel says, “That is why the Lord says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish’” (Joel 2:12-13).
It is important to remember “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). However, we also should not forget when Jesus said, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17). And John the Baptist who said in Luke 3:8, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”
True repentance involves our recognizing we have thought or done wrongly
and are determined to change our minds, which will result in a change of actions
in the future. Repentance is not just telling God “I’m sorry.” That is
confession and confession is important. Repentance, however, are the actions that
follow our confession, which prove to the Lord
we are genuinely remorseful. Repentance is our faith in action. Where we walk
the walk not just talk the talk.
Paul says to King Agrippa in Acts 26, “I preached first to those in
Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles,
that all must repent of their sins and turn to God – and prove they have
changed by the good things they do” (Acts 26:20).
An attitude of repentance is something believers should have every day,
but there is nothing wrong with focusing on it more purposefully during Lent.
To remind ourselves that, yes, God does love us so much He sent His Son to die
for our sins. However, is it a bad thing to show we are truly sorry for our
sins? Surely not. We can sprinkle ourselves with ashes (2 Samuel 13:19). Wear
some rough burlap (Esther 4:1). Rub some ashes on our foreheads. Or practice six
weeks of self-discipline.
Although, Lent may not be in the Bible, it is never a bad thing to prove to God by the way we live that we have truly repented of our sins and turned to Him.
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Remember you can email praises and petitions to southchurchprayer@gmail.com. I lift them up every Wednesday at 4:00 pm on Facebook Live.
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