And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13 (NIV)
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. On this day, we begin the 40-day journey to the cross, the tomb, and the resurrection of Jesus the Christ. We gather as the Body of Christ to repent of our sins, to share in Holy Communion, and to receive the sign of the cross in ashes on our foreheads. When we leave the service, we will go home, look at ourselves in the mirror to see what our cross looks like (did the pastor put it on straight?), and before we go to bed we will wash it off so it doesn’t mess up our pillow. And that will be that. The next day, no one will look at you any differently, because you will look just the same, and probably will act just the same.
But…what if the mark didn’t come off? What if it was there for everyone to see, day after day? What if everyone knew that you were a Christian because of that mark on your forehead? Would you be more conscious of your behavior? Would you act differently if you were ‘marked’?
Well guess what? As a Christian you ARE marked. Paul reminds us in the above scripture that when we truly believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are marked with a seal – we receive the Holy Spirit. And if the Holy Spirit is in us, it will pour out of us, in our love for God, and our service to others.
Can people look at you and see your “mark?”
May your Lent season be “marked” with moments to share God’s love.
Blessings,
Charlie