Ash Wednesday Reflection--recieving Christ's mark, ashes and penance

JMJ

Thanks to Apologists Dave Armstrong for the OT references to fasting and ashes,

I recently heard a conversation where someone asked "why get the ashes?--I'm a believer and that's all that matters".

What does the Bible say about Christians recieving the mark of Christ on their foreheads?

(The 'cross' of ashes can also be viewed as the Greek letter Chi (pronounced Kie) which is the ancient symbol for Christ).

Rev 7:3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."

(So, the servants of God are to receive a special mark on their foreheads especially in the end times)

Rev 9:4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

(So, those with the mark of God will be spared certain attacks)

Rev 14:1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

(Those who stand with Christ (The Lamb) have His name written on their foreheads)

Rev 22:3-4 The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

(those with His name on their foreheads will see God, ie. go to Heaven)

Sounds like Scripture thinks that receiving the mark of Christ on your forehead is kinda important--ey?

But what about that mark being made from ashes? What is the Bibles take on this practice of using ashes for the Lord especially in times of fasting (ie. lent)?

(direct evidence of dust or ashes on the head)--

2 Sam 13:19 Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornate robe she was wearing. She put her hands on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went.

Ezek 27:30 They will raise their voice and cry bitterly over you; they will sprinkle dust on their heads and roll in ashes.

Judith 4:11 Saying: Know ye that the Lord will hear your prayers, if you continue with perseverance in fastings and prayers in the sight of the Lord.,15 So that even they who offered the holocausts to the Lord, offered the sacrifices to the Lord girded with haircloths, and with ashes upon their head.

1 Macc 3:47 And they fasted that day, and put on haircloth, and put ashes upon their heads: and they rent their garments:

Rev 18:19 And they cast dust upon their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying: Alas! alas! that great city, wherein all were made rich, that had ships at sea, by reason of her prices: for in one hour she is made desolate.

cf.

Neh 9:1 And in the four and twentieth day of the month the children of Israel came together with fasting and with sackcloth, and earth upon them.

Esther 4:1 Now when Mardochai had heard these things, he rent his garments, and put on sackcloth, strewing ashes on his head

Job 42:6 Therefore I reprehend myself, and do penance in dust and ashes.

Is 58:5 Is this such a fast as I have chosen: for a man to afflict his soul for a day? is this it, to wind his head about like a circle, and to spread sackcloth and ashes? wilt thou call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord?

Jer 6:26 Gird thee with sackcloth, O daughter of my people, and sprinkle thee with ashes: make thee mourning as for an only son, a bitter lamentation, because the destroyer shall suddenly come upon us.

Dan 9:3 And I set my face to the Lord my God, to pray and make supplication with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes.

Matt 11:21 Woe to thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in you, they had long ago done penance in sackcloth and ashes.

Lk 10:13 Woe to thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida. For if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the mighty works that have been wrought in you, they would have done penance long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

And what about that "all I need to do is believe" stuff?

I'm sure Satan believes in Jesus (they met personally), and where did it get him?

And if by 'belief' they mean "I am saved by my faith"--what does the bible say about that?

James 2:24 You see that a person is saved by what he does and not by faith alone.

Lent is a special time for us to reflect on and renew our walk with the Lord

Please use this special season to come to a real relationship with Christ, and learn what He really taught--through His teaching body on Earth, the New Davidic Kingdom, The Catholic Church (Col 1:18)

"He is the head of the body, The Church"