In the last rambling, we talked about Adam and Eve and there was a brief mention of Ash Wednesday. In Genesis chapter 2 Adam was created from the dust of the ground. In Genesis chapter 3, after Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil God gave them punishments. When He got around to Adam He talked about how getting food from the ground would have a lot of toil, and He also said "you are dust and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:19) In other words, you will die. Death was not a part of the original state of things. Sin brought that curse.
Fast forward to Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday we begin the observance of Lent, an approximate 6 weeks leading up to Easter. During Lent we reflect on the fact that we are in a sinful condition that separates us from God and on the fact that we need God's mercy and forgiveness. Death is a consequence of that sin. On Ash Wednesday, we have an extra reminder of that death part (the sin part is not lost on this day though). When we go up to receive the ashes the pastor puts them on our forehead and repeats the words of Genesis 3:19. "You are dust and to dust you shall return."
The curse of sin infects everything and that is why we see death. That is why we eventually die. What a solemn reminder those ashes and the words that go with it are.
There is something more going on here though. That reminder of sin and it's consequence of death are what we call the law. Is there any gospel in this day?
A good pastor will make sure you hear the gospel in the sermon you hear today (and there will be law too), but there is another place of gospel. It's in those ashes. When the pastor puts the ashes on your forehead it is not just a dot or line of ashes (although it may look like that sometimes, it's not the intent if it does). He puts them on your forehead in the shape of a cross. The cross alone is a reminder of what Jesus did for you when He died for you to save you from your sins, but this goes another step further. When you were baptized, the pastor made the sign of the cross over your heart and...over your forehead. The cross shaped ashes on your forehead are a reminder of your baptism! When you were baptized in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, your sins were washed away! You were forgiven of your sins! You were brought into God's family! You were given eternal life!
Yes, you are a sinner. Yes, death is a consequence of that. Yes there is a solemnity to that. That is the law side and it should not be lost or forgotten. But a baptized child of God also has reason to rejoice, because God has forgiven them, and brought them into His family.
Should you start jumping up and down with happiness when the pastor puts the ashes on you? That wouldn't be the best thing, but in the solemnness of the day, don't lose sight of the gospel of the day either!
The law: you are dust and to dust you shall return.
The gospel: you are baptized into Christ!
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