Scripture: Jonah 3:6
When word of it reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, stripped himself of his robe, covered himself with mourning clothes, and sat in ashes.
Thought for the Day: The book of Jonah is one of my favorites. It was a political satire that challenged what the culture believed about the capacity of God’s grace to change the heart of the enemy. When Jonah finally, and somewhat reluctantly, went to Nineveh and called for repentance, the last thing he expected was for the people to change. Of course, it only took Jonah’s lackadaisical effort to change the King’s heart. The act of changing one’s clothing and introducing ashes was a ritual of repentance. To put on some sackcloth (mourning clothes) and to toss around some ashes will not bring about change, but when dealing with the difficult and complex nature of turning one’s life around, ritual helps significantly in the process. We are defined and shaped by the rituals we do, and tomorrow night, there will be an opportunity to receive ashes at the Ash Wednesday Service (6:45pm). There is nothing magical about the ashes, but they represent a rich history of meaning. Ashes represent something dead and burned, and when change is needed, something often needs to die within us…and it is nice to have the fire of the Spirit to burn away what is no longer needed. I encourage your participation in what is an entry place into the season of Lent.
Prayer: Walk with us, O Call of Repentance. Guide us into this season where change is encouraged and where your Spirit helps to make that change permanent. Amen.
TOMORROW NIGHT
