Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday

Follow Me - John 1:43-51

Purpose

Lent is a period of fasting and abstinence from meat and repentance contemplating one’s transgressions. The first council of Nicaea in AD 325 brought this tradition.

On Ash Wednesday the Ashes made out of the Palm leaves taken in the previous year Palm Sunday is being used and marked a cross sign on the foreheads of the believers with this word, "Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return." It was proclaimed by Pope Gregory I (AD.540). Then it was changed with the words, “Repent and Believe in the Gospel” by the Roman Catholic church in 1969.

2007 many major denominations took the ashes to the market places and used them as means of evangelism, ‘Go Program’. Clergy carries the Ashes and calls people for repentance, those who respond will be marked with ashes. Biblical aspects of ashes are recorded in 2 Samuel 13:19, Job 42:3-6, Jeremiah 6:26, Daniel 9:3. Numbers19:9, Jonah 3:6, Esther 4:1.

Moses fasted forty days and nights for the sins of Israel (Exodus 34:27-28). Jesus fasted forty days and nights in the wilderness (Mathew.4:1-11, Mark.1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13). Neither Jesus nor the new testament saints used Ashes during fasting and prayer because the new covenant calls us to cleanse out conscience than the bodily hurts (Hebrews 9:13-14, Romans 2:15).

The purpose of our lent observation is to keep our conscience clear before God and man (Acts 24:16).

Follow Me:

Discipleship is not forced one but voluntary act. It’s not a command but an open call. Gospels are having many call narratives. Jesus calls Andrew, Philip, John and all other apostles. Jesus called each of his disciples at various occasions. Some were called while they were mending their fishing nets. Some were called when they were busy with their government jobs (Mathew 9:9). Some were called when they were jobless (Mark 1:16-20).

Stories after stories we see in the Bible how God called many of the prophets, judges, kings and apostles. God’s call is recorded in several epistles, such as Romans 8:30; Ephesians 4:4; Romans 11:29 God’s call and gifts are irrevocable.

Jesus laid the precondition for discipleship was to leave everything (Luke 14:33). Levi left everything (Luke 5:28). Peter asked a question to Jesus in Mathew 19:26 ‘we have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?’

Those who struggled to leave everything were denied to follow him. Ex., a rich young man, rich fool.

The benefits of following Jesus Christ:

Peace

Placed in a Higher responsibility and

Entering and Inheriting the KOG.

1. “Follow Jesus” to be a peaceful person

The calling of God leads to having peace with God (Colossians 3:15). Peace with God only through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Our transgressions and iniquities brought the wrath of God upon Jesus (Isaiah 53:5). Paul preached the good news of Peace (Acts 10:36). The bible verses are fresh every day, the reading of those verses makes us understand that “Come to me all who are thirsty and hunger” (Isaiah 55:1), “come to me all you who are weary and heavy-laden, I will give you rest” (Mathew 11:28).

Job 22:21 Submit to God and be at peace with HIM, in this way prosperity will come to you.

Though Jesus was without a place to stay, a bed to rest or a man without home or permanent residence. But he never expected his followers to become like him in all aspects. His promise surprises us that his followers would be blessed hundredfold in this age and in the age to come, eternal life (Mathew 19:29, Luke 18:30).

Abraham had enormous wealth, sheep, cattle, silver, gold and servants (Genesis 13:6, 24:35). Isaac had hundredfold blessings (Genesis 26:12). Jacob had huge properties (Genesis 33:11). God gave Canaan to Israelites.

2. “Follow Jesus” to be a witness

The precondition for a witness is to be with Christ (John 15:27). Acts 1:8 calls us to be a witness for Jesus in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Isaiah 43:10 says ‘you are my witnesses’. Witness about the full new life in Christ (Acts 5:20). You will be witness to all men (Acts 22:15).

1 Thessalonians 4:7 and 2 Timothy 1:9 reveals that we are called to live a holy life. Galatians 5:13 says that we are called to serve one another.

3. “Follow Jesus” to inherit the Kingdom of God

Philippians 3:14 says that we are called to win the prize; 2 Thessalonians 2:14 says that we are called to share the glory of Lord Jesus Christ; 1 Timothy 6:12 says that we are called to eternal life. 2 Peter 1:10 make you're calling sure and wait for the welcome to the eternal kingdom. Gain Christ is important (Philippians 3:8).