What is Ash Wednesday? | Lent Fasting | GotQuestions.org

What is Ash Wednesday? Should a Christian observe lent fasting? In this video, Pastor Nelson looks at the Ash Wednesday meaning and unpacks why Ash Wednesday fasting is significant to some, even though it's not directly found anywhere in the Bible. *** Recommended Book: The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus By: Gary R. Habermas, Michael R. Licona https://goo.gl/k0Itcr *** Curious about Bible Munch? Go check them out! https://www.youtube.com/BibleMunch *** Recent Bible Munch Videos: What is the Fear of the Lord | What is the Fear of God - Should we be scared? https://youtu.be/kd8RGuetrBA?list=PLYUzs7YowQ-izna-e0o4OMeIaKNatDqiB Why Does God Allow Suffering | 3 Reasons: Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen https://youtu.be/tKjvHJiNo4I?list=PLYUzs7YowQ-izna-e0o4OMeIaKNatDqiB 5 Step Decision Making - How to Make the Right Decision Biblically https://youtu.be/AEdhp6b6Izs?list=PLYUzs7YowQ-goemb1lt3SSBR3iFDmhAz0 *** Source Article: https://www.gotquestions.org/Ash-Wednesday.html *** Related Got Questions Articles: What is the meaning of Lent? https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-Lent.html What is Maundy Thursday / Holy Thursday? https://www.gotquestions.org/Maundy-Thursday.html What is Good Friday / Holy Friday? https://www.gotquestions.org/Good-Friday.html What is Easter Sunday? https://www.gotquestions.org/Easter-Sunday.html *** Transcript: Question: “What is Ash Wednesday?” In this video we’ll see what the Bible has to say, and after - I’ll point you to some helpful resources, so stick around to the end. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Its official name is “Day of Ashes,” so called because of the practice of rubbing ashes on one’s forehead in the sign of a cross. Since it is exactly 40 days (excluding Sundays) before Easter Sunday, it will always fall on a Wednesday—there cannot be an “Ash Thursday” or “Ash Monday.” The Bible never mentions Ash Wednesday—for that matter, it never mentions Lent. Lent is intended to be a time of self-denial, moderation, fasting, and the forsaking of sinful activities and habits. Ash Wednesday commences this period of spiritual discipline. Ash Wednesday and Lent are observed by most Catholics and some Protestant denominations. The Eastern Orthodox Church does not observe Ash Wednesday; instead, they start Lent on “Clean Monday.” While the Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday, it does record accounts of people in the Old Testament using dust and ashes as symbols of repentance and/or mourning. The modern tradition of rubbing a cross on a person’s forehead supposedly identifies that person with Jesus Christ. Should a Christian observe Ash Wednesday? Since the Bible nowhere explicitly commands or condemns such a practice, Christians are at liberty to prayerfully decide whether or not to observe Ash Wednesday. If a Christian decides to observe Ash Wednesday and/or Lent, it is important to have a biblical perspective. Jesus warned us against making a show of our fasting: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen.” (Matthew 6:16-18) We must not allow spiritual discipline to become spiritual pride. It is a good thing to repent of sinful activities, but that’s something Christians should do every day, not just during Lent. It’s a good thing to clearly identify oneself as a Christian, but, again, this should be an everyday identification. And it is good to remember that no ritual can make one’s heart right with God. Hungry for more? Subscribe so you don’t miss the next video! Visit GotQuestions.org for more great content. And check out the details section below this video: There’s a book I highly recommend, along with other articles that will help you better understand the questions you may have about Easter. If you’d like to learn about Bible Munch, or if you’re interested in Bite-sized devotionals, subscribe to Bible Munch on YouTube. It's linked right here. Remember, GotQuestions? The Bible has answers! We'll help you find them! Music: http://www.purple-planet.com Note: Some links are affiliate links which cost you nothing, but help us share the word of God.