Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
There is an ancient German proverb (cited by Martin Luther) that well describes the sinful condition which gave rise to the problems in Joel: “All men are pleased with what they do. A world of fools I’m telling you” (Weimar Ausgabe, Vol. 48, p. 10).
Luther also explains how the repentance referred to in the text leads to holy living. God’s alluring love changes us: “The Spirit came pouring into their hearts, making them different beings, making them creatures who loved and willingly obeyed God.... He wrote in those hearts his pure and fiery flame, restoring them to life and causing them to respond with fiery tongues and efficient hands. They became new creatures, aware of possessing altogether different minds and different tendencies. Then all was life and light; understanding, will, and heart burned and delighted in whatever was acceptable to God” (Collected Sermons, Vol. 4/2, p. 331).
About this awesome, amazing love of God, John Calvin adds: “For it was not only an immeasurable love that God spared not his own Son, that by his death he might restore us to life; but it was goodness the most marvelous, which ought to fill our minds with the greatest wonder and amazement” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol. XXII/2, p. 239).
Mark E.
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
In Rockefeller Center, across Faith Avenue from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, is a two-ton statue of Atlas balancing the world on his shoulders, cast in 1936 by Lee Lawrie and Rene Chambellan. Breathless, with sweat-beaded brow, strained tendons, and muscles taunt from the burden, he unbearably carries the grievances of the world. It is a relentless burden from which Atlas will never be relieved. He does this in punishment for defying Zeus, the king of the Greek gods and the ruler of Mount Olympus. Inside the cathedral is a statue of Jesus. As you enter, it is the first statue along the left side of the sanctuary. It is titled “Infant Jesus of Prague.” The original 18-inch statue was commissioned in 1628 by Princess Polyxenea von Lobkowitz, to Our Lady of Victory Church in Prague. The statue was donated to the New York City cathedral in 1950. It depicts a child effortlessly holding the globe in his left hand. In the simplicity of faith he effortlessly sustains the trespasses of the world. His right hand, as so often depicted in art, has his fingers spelling the name of Jesus Christ using the first two Greek letters of his name.
Application: It is because God is merciful and abounds in steadfast love that we do not have to carry the burdens of life upon our shoulders.
Ron L.
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
Several years ago my wife and I took a trip out west with a friend. As we traveled in his fifth-wheeler we were struck by some of the scenes we came across. Fire had blackened much of the forests we visited, devastating the foliage.
The fire had simply released the energy to break down the molecular bonds, and what once were beautiful green trees had become just a pile of black and grey ashes.
Steve Thomason wrote: “Hopes and dreams burn too. Jobs are lost. Children rebel. Families break apart. Churches split. In the end, it all turns back to ashes. Everyone has ashes. Everyone has something that has fallen apart in life. And now it lies there -- our sins, fears, disappointments, failures -- in a pile of ashes” (http://www.stevethomason.net/2011/03/a-journey-of-ashes-ash-wednesday-sermon/).
Jesus’ life was going so well, both on the inside and outside. He was touching others with his words and actions. Lives were being changed... transformed by his touch. Things looked incredibly good, but then came the cross. It seemed to turn his successes into a pile of ashes. We know, as Paul Harvey use to say, “the rest of the story.” It is the resurrection filled with joy and triumph. Sin, Satan, and Hell will be overcome through the power of the resurrection of Jesus; but before resurrection comes there is the journey to the cross and the ashes of hurt, suffering and pain.
During this journey today we need to look deep within and ask God’s Holy Spirit to reveal places that we need to be cleansed and healed. It is a time for confession to rid ourselves of the garbage that has piled heavily on our spirits.
Ash Wednesday is not celebrated alone. It is a community event of God’s people. It is a journey that takes us into the world around us so that those who are hungering and thirsting for righteousness will discover others who are doing the same.
As ashes are applied to our foreheads on this day may we wear them with humility and grace, understanding that we are on the journey with our Lord.
Derl K.
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
This scripture starts with some of those most important words imploring us to be reconciled to God. The only assumption we have trouble with is that we think we are reconciled to God. We thought we accomplished that at our baptism and confirmation. All we need is a little encouragement to keep going in the right direction. That’s why all the people are sitting in the pews on Sunday. “Reconciled” may sound unnecessary. I know that many of us feel that we sometimes drift back and forth, but we don’t feel we need to be reconciled. “Just be patient with us, God! We are with you!” we tell him.
Isn’t it exiting to think that we are God’s fellow workers? It’s also encouraging to know that he hears us and he also helps us. What more can we ask? If we have been given the highest-ranking job as his ambassador, how can we complain? An ambassador is one who is sent from one state to another. Sounds like a missionary, doesn’t it? Whatever we say is by his authority. That sounds a little scary! We sure don’t want to mess it up. We sure don’t want to put any stumbling block in the path of anyone whom the Lord is trying to reach.
Would a stumbling block be something as simple as eating meat sacrificed to idols like Paul wrote about? We only have to be careful not to eat it in front of someone with a weak faith.
He says now is the day of salvation. I thought it came at the end of our life. He must mean that it starts now. He said he would help us in that day -- which seems to be now.
The next verses are not so pleasant. He is talking about endurance, trouble, hardship, distress, and he goes further in beatings, imprisonments, and riots (we’ve seen plenty of those today in every news report!). But also in hard work and sleepless nights and even hunger. Then it gets a bit more understandable. In purity, understanding, patience, and kindness, and the most important: in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love. Nothing beats love! God is love, so you can’t go any further. If we are armed with love, then we can enjoy glory and survive dishonor and bad reports as we look forward to a good report. We may be genuine, but some will regard us as imposters trying to take their traditional faith from them. I love the contrast in that list. Our reward will be so great that we can endure any problem.
I only saw those kinds of experiences on the mission field. We only see a few mild problems in our country between different denominations and a few radical atheists.
Whatever you do and whatever you face, remember the reassuring words about joy and eternal life, but most of all that God hears us whether we praise him or cry out for help! Bear those ashes in joy! Let them be a message to others!
Bob O.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Former president George W. Bush did not accept the ice-bucket challenge to bring awareness to and raise money for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Instead, he decided to write a check. Justifying his reason for not being doused with ice water, he said: “To all you who challenged me, I do not think it’s presidential for me to be splashed with ice water, so I’m simply going to write you a check.” Then, as he was writing the check, his wife Laura doused him with ice water.
Application: Jesus calls us to live humble lives. We can never be too presidential to humbly portray ourselves to advance the good of others.
Ron L.
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
A 2013 Associated Press survey indicated that four of five American adults struggle with joblessness, near-poverty, and reliance on welfare. The gap between rich and poor continues to grow, and (as of early 2014) 50 million of us are in poverty with 47 million on food stamps. Martin Luther explained well our inertia in aiding the poor: “But true almsgiving is a rare thing in this world. Not only is there so much ordinary robbing and stealing going on everywhere in the world that no one does anything good for his neighbor, but goes on scratching on his own manure pile without asking how his neighbor is getting along. But even if they do good works, they are only looking out for their own advantage” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 21, p. 137).
John Calvin noted the radical socioeconomics that ensue from Jesus’ reference to our treasures, indicating where our hearts are. Interpreting this text he wrote: “He [Christ] only intended to show that we must not be satisfied with bestowing on the poor what we can easily spare, but that we must not refuse to part with our estates, if their revenue does not supply the wants of the poor” (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol. XVI/1, p. 333).
Mark E.
