What is Ash Wednesday?  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 46 day Easter season on the liturgical calendar.  40 days are dedicated to prayer and fasting (reflecting the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the desert) and they are interrupted by 6 Sundays of feasting.

Why Ashes?  In the Bible, ashes symbolize repentance from sin and/or great grief over loss (2 Sam 13:19, Esther 4:1, Job 2:8, Jer 6:26, 25:34, Mark 11:21, Luke 10:21, etc…).

Looking back on Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, I’m reminded that it was a time of preparation for His ministry.  This year, during the Easter Season, I want to refocus myself on the ministry that God has called me to.  I plan to spend intentional time each day listening to the Holy Spirit’s direction for my life.

In addition, it is clear that Jesus’ 40 days were a time where Satan tempted Jesus, seeking to derail Jesus’ ministry.  “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him” (Mark 1:12–13 ESV).  I must be ready to resist my enemy.

What does God want to prepare you for through this Easter season?

If you are in Dallas, join us tonight for this exciting worship experience to kick off the Easter season.