The “Day of the Ash” is upon us. It always seems to sneak up on us – “Wham! – and it’s here!”
We never quite seemed prepared for this one! And, there is so much to know about it.
The number 40 means “a very long time.”
Mentioned 146 times in Scriptures, the number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation…or so, some people suspected and thought.
During Moses’ lifetime he lived forty years in Egypt and forty years in the desert – before God selected him to lead (or draw out) his people from slavery.
Moses was also on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights, on “two separate occasions” receiving God’s laws.
He also sent spies, for forty days, to investigate the land God – promised the Israelites – as an inheritance.
The prophet Jonah powerfully warned ancient Nineveh, for forty days, that its destruction would come because of its many sins…unless it repented.
The prophet Ezekiel laid on his right side for 40 days to symbolize Judah’s sins.
Elijah went 40 days without food or water at Mount Horeb.
Jesus was tempted by the devil not just three times, but MANY times during the 40 days and nights he fasted just before his ministry began.
He also appeared to his disciples and to others for 40 days – after his resurrection from the dead and before his Ascension.
The number forty can also represent one entire generation.
Because of their sins after leaving Egypt, God swore that the generation of Israelites – who left Egyptian bondage – would not enter their inheritance in Canaan.
The children of Israel were punished by wandering in the wilderness for 40 years – before a new generation – was allowed to possess the promised land.
So forty is a big deal – Biblically.
Our season of Lent is meant to reflect the 40 days Jesus spent alone in the wilderness.
It is a time of introspection…a time of looking deep within.
It is a time to be humbled by our sins.
Like the prophets of old we are called to repent. We are asked to “return to the Lord” once more, “if” we have wandered away.
We are “called on the carpet” and we are being asked to come clean – again!
Life is (or can be) a little messy sometimes…sometimes, a lot of the time!
We are imperfect.
We do make mistakes.
We are powerless to make ourselves clean.
The ashes that some of us will be wearing this evening – are a combination of the ashes from the burned up palm branches – of last year’s Palm Sunday – combined with olive oil.
A lot of people do not realize this – but soap has been historically made from ashes and fat.
Oil is a fat.
When make the sign of the cross on our foreheads with ashes and olive oil, we are making “a form of soap.”
We are being “cleansed” by the sign of the cross that we bear.
If you will remember, the sign of the cross is first made on our foreheads in baptism.
The oil that is used is called “Chrism” and it is the same oil that is used in Holy Baptism.
It is meant to be a sign of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Isn’t that “just like God?”
The black sign of the cross or in some cases “the smudge” that represents our sin and failures – is at the very same time – the thing that represents the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
You see, while these 40 days are meant as a season of introspection, they are also meant as a season of cleansing and healing.
A season full of hope and excitement – that will culminate in the light, the fragrance, and the sound of the trumpet on Easter morning.
God has this way about him – of making all things work together…for our good.
God’s healing and cleansing is about to continue on….