Sackcloth and ashes: the signs of mourning and repentance in the pages of Scripture. Ash Wednesday, February 14, day we begin our Lenten journey; we begin our return from exile. This is not a journey that begins with rejoicing and excitement; rather it begins with ashes. Our Lenten journey begins with ashes on our foreheads, a sign of broken and repentant hearts. God does not desire our sacrifices, as if we could atone for or cover our own sin. God desires broken and contrite hearts which He will not despise. Any efforts to cover up, to pay for, or to atone for our own sin only result in more sackcloth and ashes—even death. It is God who responds to the ashes of our repentance by sending His only begotten Son. Jesus Christ, on the cross, has washed our foreheads of the ashes of our sins and removed the sackcloth of our guilt and clothed us in His robes of righteousness and garments of salvation. The pure and holy white linen garments that adorn the saints in heaven cover us as we long for the day when we will join them around the throne. Join us at 7:30PM this Wednesday, February 14.
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