LENT Day 1 [3.5.2025] / Ash Wednesday

Scripture: Matthew 4:2-11 / 마태복음 4:2-11

Genesis 3:19 - By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.

Overview:

Immediately following His baptism, Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. Remembering the words of Jesus to John the Baptist prior to this scripture (Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness) gives us insight to understand how the testing of Jesus was also within the will of God His father in Heaven. Many times, we believe that our testing comes from our wrongdoings as a punishment for our crimes; however, the grace of Jesus Christ rests on the identity and workings of the gospel, instead of our performance. Therefore, our season of testing that is marked by suffering, doubt, and questioning is an intentional gift of God to make room for our repentance but more importantly the ultimate display of His power, glory, love, and faithfulness.

The Significance of Ash Wednesday:

Ash Wednesday begins our season of lent leading up to the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Ash had great significance in the Old Testament and would be present in various circumstances regarding repentance, preparation, and grief. The sprinkling of ash over one’s head is a deep reminder of our transient and fragile nature, reminding us deeply that we were once made from dust and will return to dust. As important as is this first truth, the greater message of Jesus Christ reminds us that the love of Jesus Christ grants an incredible life in our time here on earth, but also eternal life for those who would believe in Him. We remember on this day the humility of Jesus Christ, that despite being the Son of God and sinless in every way, He submitted Himself to the will of the Father, and therefore submitted Himself to be tested in the wilderness. We too are to begin our lent journey reflecting Jesus’ humility and in reflection of His great life, journey, death and resurrection for us.

Prayer Topic:

1. Lord, I surrender my life to you and willingly enter the next forty days with a desire to be tested and convicted under your sovereignty and plan.

2. On this Ash Wednesday, I recognize again how sinful, broken, and meaningless my life is without Jesus Christ.

3. I want take this time to repent for my sins and humble myself again before you, Jesus. May you have mercy on me and establish me in your love and grace.

4. Holy Spirit, I ask for strength and wisdom during this 40-day journey, that I would grow closer to You and stronger in my faith.

   
   

개요:

예수님께서 세례를 받으신 직후, 성령님께 이끌려 광야로 가셨습니다. 예수님께서 세례자 요한에게 하신 말씀(“이제 허락하라 우리가 이와 같이 하여 모든 의를 이루는 거시 합당하니라”)을 기억하며, 예수님의 시험 또한 하늘에 계신 하나님 아버지의 뜻 안에 있었다는 것을 이해할 수 있습니다.우리는 종종 우리의 시험이 잘못된 행동에 대한 벌이라고 생각하지만, 예수 그리스도의 은혜는 우리의 행위가 아니라 복음의 정체성과 역사에 기초하고 있습니다. 따라서, 고난과 의심, 질문이 가득한 우리의 시험의 시기는 하나님께서 의도적으로 허락하신 은혜의 시간이며, 이는 우리의 회개를 위한 기회일 뿐만 아니라 하나님의 능력, 영광, 사랑, 그리고 신실하심을 궁극적으로 나타내기 위한 것입니다.

재의 수요일의 의미:

재의 수요일은 부활절 주일을 향한 사순절의 시작을 알립니다. 구약에서 재는 회개, 준비, 슬픔과 관련된 다양한 상황에서 중요한 의미를 지녔습니다. 머리에 재를 뿌리는 행위는 우리가 먼지에서 와서 다시 먼지로 돌아갈 존재임을 깊이 상기시키는 상징입니다 (창세기 3:19).이 첫 번째 진리가 중요한 만큼, 예수 그리스도의 더 큰 메시지는 그분의 사랑이 우리에게 이 땅에서의 놀라운 삶을 허락할 뿐만 아니라, 그분을 믿는 자들에게 영원한 생명을 주신다는 것입니다.오늘, 우리는 하나님의 아들이시며 죄 없으신 예수님께서 하나님 아버지의 뜻에 온전히 순종하셨다는 사실을 기억합니다. 예수님께서는 하나님의 뜻에 따라 광야에서 시험받기를 기꺼이 감당하셨습니다. 우리 또한 사순절 여정을 시작하며 예수님의 겸손을 본받고, 그분의 삶과 여정, 죽음과 부활을 깊이 묵상해야 합니다.

기도 제목:

1. 주님, 제 삶을 온전히 주님께 맡기며, 앞으로의 40일 동안 주님의 주권과 계획 안에서 시험 받고 변화되기를 원합니다.

2. 오늘 재의 수요일을 맞아, 예수 그리스도 없이는 제 삶이 얼마나 죄 많고, 깨어지며, 의미 없는 것인지 다시금 깨닫습니다.

3. 제 죄를 회개하며 다시금 주님 앞에 겸손히 나아갑니다. 주님, 저에게 자비를 베푸시고, 주님의 사랑과 은혜 안에 저를 굳건히 세워주세요.

4. 성령님, 이 40일의 여정 동안 저에게 힘과 지혜를 주셔서, 주님과 더 가까워지고 신앙이 더욱 깊어지게 해주세요.