The other night, I was laying with my squirrely 2-year-old at bedtime. She had lots of energy and she was tossing and turning, sitting up, standing up, giggling and having a great time. I was tired and I was ready for some quiet moments to myself, so I kept telling her to lay down and be quiet. In her silliness, she dropped to the pillow, smashing her head right into my nose. "That's why I told you to lay down. Now be quiet and go to sleep!" I yelled and I was about to put her in the crib and walk away. But then I heard her little voice say, "That wasn't very nice, Mommy." Immediately I knew that getting mad at her wouldn't solve anything, so I gave her a hug and apologized for yelling at her. Because I make mistakes all the time, I know that I will continue to have chances to teach her that to confess and ask for forgiveness is not weak or foolish, but a necessary part of our lives in this fallen world.
Are Christians known as people of contrition and repentance? Or do we feel like we have to be right about everything? Confessing our sins takes humility and honesty. Doing so in public takes even more courage. Tonight, most of the churches in our small community are joining together for an Ash Wednesday service and this hymn is in the order of worship: Sunday's Palms are Wednesday's Ashes. It's a confession - and a public one at that. I think it would be amazing if the distinguishing mark of Christians in our community was the cross of ashes. We live in light of the forgiveness that Jesus afforded us on the cross, so admitting we're sinful does not jeopardize our reputation, it shines light on the greatness of Christ!
The very palm branches that are used to remember Jesus' entry into Jerusalem the week he was crucified on the cross are burned to make the ashes that form the crosses on our foreheads tonight. You can read Luke's account about the first Palm Sunday here. Even though the people worshiped and welcomed Jesus with great honor and celebration that day, they could never have guessed that before Jesus could be exalted, he had to first die the death of a criminal on a cross. As we joyfully anticipate Easter this year, let us not forget that our sins made it necessary for Jesus to go to the cross.
This hymn is personal - we have personally offended both God and our neighbor in many ways. It is also corporate - we kneel... our sins... grant us pardon. We do not simply confess and repent in isolation, but in community with our brothers and sisters in Christ. This corporate confession does two things. First, we admit our sin in front of everyone, no longer trying to hide it or explain it away. Second, we look around and realize that we are not alone. Everyone in our family, our church, our community and our world is a also sinner in need of a Savior. Instead of guilt and shame, we can leave our Ash Wednesday repentance with the confidence that it is not our own merit, but God's grace that covers whatever we confess.
Take a moment to listen to these words and turn them into your own humble, honest prayer. Is there anything that resonates with you as something you must confess? Would you add anything to this list? I pray this season will be filled with glimpses of God's glory and grace and a deeper sense of gratitude and love for Him.
Sunday's palms are Wednesday's ashes as another Lent begins
thus we kneel before our Maker in contrition for our sins
We have marred baptismal pledges, in rebellion gone astray
now, returning, seek forgiveness; grant us pardon, God, this day!
We have failed to love our neighbors, their offences to forgive,
have not listened to their troubles, nor have cared just how they live,
we are jealous, proud, impatient, loving overmuch our things;
may the yielding of our failings be our Lenten offerings.
We are hasty to judge others, blind to proof of human need
and our lack of understanding demonstrates our inner greed;
we have wasted earth's resources; want and suffering we've ignored;
come and cleanse us, then restore us; make new hearts within us, Lord!
