Forty-six days before Easter, Christians all over the world recognize Ash Wednesday as the start of Lent, or Easter season. Today is that day.

Today Christ-followers focus special attention on a serious intervention that took place over 2,000 years ago. That’s when the Son of God broke into human flesh and paid the sin debts of every person who would accept His great salvation gift. On this Ash Wednesday Christians everywhere grieve their offenses, confess their transgressions, and purpose to meditate more intentionally on Jesus’ life and redemption mission. 

As a public confession of gratitude to Christ, they receive the application of an ashen cross to their foreheads, placed there by the prayerful, sooty touch of a priest or a pastor’s finger. Many commit to a 40-day fast of food or pleasure, in an effort to draw closer to God.

The Bible does not mandate or even mention Ash Wednesday’s practice, but the worshipful tradition travels a stream of biblical symbolism that through the ages has blessed and continues to bless its participants.

There is something about Ash Wednesday’s tradition, the fast of Lent, and the anticipation of our Easter season that has for some years now drawn the attention of beloved Muslim friends. I have a friend (former Muslim) who tells me she used to drive past many churches over the course of any given week, and she always wondered what went on inside them. She specifically wanted to know about Easter.

Now, this is the truth about Ash Wednesday, Lent, and Easter. It is a season that celebrates the Truth about Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Word of God (Jn. 1:1) who is also the Son of God (I Jn. 4:9), paid our sin debts on a villain’s cross (Rom. 5:8) and rose from the grave (Luke 24:1-8) so that we might all enjoy God forever. No manner of good deeds would make us worthy of heaven (Eph. 2:8), so He became the way (Jn. 14:6), by paying the price for our sin (Rom. 3:23-24). He is the manifestation of God’s love for us (Jn. 3:16). Through Him, and only through Him, are we saved (Acts 4:12, 16:31).

Jesus is more than a great prophet. He is our Savior. 

Every human’s faith hinges on Easter’s reality, this truth about Jesus. 

If you would like to know more about this Truth, please email us privately at info@sayhelloinfo.com.