Ash Wednesday: Hands of Repentance (Luke 18:9-14)

Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021

he Hands of the Passion Series, Week 1,

Readings for Ash Wednesday:

First Lesson:  2 Samuel 12:1-13.  King David thought he had successfully covered up his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah the Hittite, but God, through his prophet Nathan’s story of a poor man’s precious lamb exposes his sin, leading to David’s repentance and God’s gift of forgiveness.  In the same way we are encouraged to repent and ask God’s forgiveness.

Psalm 51. Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Second Lesson: Acts 5:1-11.  Ananias and Sapphira had the right to withhold or offer whatever they wished to the Lord but they lied and did not repent.

Gospel and Sermon Text:  Luke 18:9-14.  Contrast the pride with which the Pharisee prays to God with hands outstretched to the humbleness with which the tax collector asks for forgiveness with hands beating his breast in contrition. 

Comparing your goodness against God’s standards reveals that we are all in need of God’s mercy, so repent and receive God’s gift of forgiveness.

Pastor Tim Patoka