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When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

Today, the season called Lent begins. Lent is the forty-day journey leading up to Easter. It’s a season when Christians slow down and focus on why Jesus came. We examine why he suffered, why he died, and why he rose again.

Lent starts with a day called Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday reminds us of something we don’t like to think about. That we are dust. And to dust we will return. That sounds grim. And it is. But it’s also honest.

Jesus’ three disciples had an honest moment, too. When they heard God’s voice on the mountain, they fell facedown, terrified. They couldn’t handle it. And then Matthew gives us one of the most comforting sentences in the Bible: “But Jesus came and touched them.” Jesus didn’t stay far away. He didn’t wait for them to get brave. He came close. And he said, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.”

That’s what Lent is about. It’s not about you proving yourself to God. It’s about Jesus coming close to you.

And then Jesus did something even bigger. He came down from the mountain because he had another hill to climb. A cross to carry. He went there for sinners. For weak people. For dust-people like us.

Ash Wednesday reminds you that you will die. But Jesus reminds you he died and rose again for you. So, the ashes aren’t the end of your story. Jesus is.

Lord Jesus, on this Ash Wednesday, remind me that I am dust, but I am not forgotten. You came close, you carried my sin, and you defeated death. Give me hope in your unfailing promises. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.