To the People of God at Central Park, Embody Fellowship, & Rose Park,
There’s a lot of symbolism in the bible. For example, any time scripture mentions water it’s a safe bet there’s a connection to baptism. Any time scripture mentions fire it’s a safe bet there’s a connection to the Holy Spirit. This symbolism isn’t limited to physical things, it also includes numbers. There are seven days of creation, seven churches listed in Revelation, and seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. There are twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles, and Jacob even had twelve sons. Needless to say, biblical numbers are important.
During the season of Lent, the number that is most prominent is 40. There are 40 days in the season of Lent (excluding Sundays) which coincide with the 40 years of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness and the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert being tempted by the enemy. Today marks the first day of Lent. So, 40 days from now (again, excluding Sundays) we’ll be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.
Today is traditionally called Ash Wednesday. According to the Worship Sourcebook, the aim of Ash Wednesday is threefold: to meditate on our mortality, sinfulness, and need of a savior; to renew our commitment to daily repentance; and to remember with confidence and gratitude that Christ has conquered death and sin.
Ash Wednesday reminds us of our mortality and points us towards Jesus. We live in a world that simultaneously tries to hide our mortality and brutally reminds us of our mortality each and every day. Commercials attempt to sell us products to keep us young forever, yet global, national, and local headlines remind us of death and pain constantly. Ash Wednesday graciously reminds us that from dust we are created and to dust we shall return (Gen. 3:19) and at the same time it points us to everlasting life in Christ.
So, as we journey together as churches of Holland, how will you spend these 40 days? I hope you create space in your life to reflect on your mortality. I hope you take time to humbly confess your sins before God. I hope you anticipate the celebration that will occur on Easter Sunday. Ultimately, I hope you embrace the assurance of eternal life that Jesus offers to us all.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Wednesday - Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Thursday - Psalm 91:9-16
Friday - Romans 10:8-13
Saturday - Luke 4:1-13
Sunday - Psalm 32
Monday - Genesis 15:1-12
Tuesday - Genesis 15:17-18
Photo by Adrien Olichon on Unsplash