Introduction

Last Wednesday, February 18^th, was Ash Wednesday or, as I call it, Dirty Forehead Wednesday. The tradition is that parishioners go to their local congregation and get the mark of the cross on their forehead. The mark is created by ashes of last year’s palm branches (supposedly) which is connected to the triumphal entry of Jesus in Jerusalem (Jn. 12:12-13). In the other gospels, it is also mentioned that people spread their clothes on the road and yet no one seems to use ashes from clothing.

Essentially, this is the start of the denominational season of Lent. A 40-day trek of reflection, almsgiving, humbleness, and turning back to God. This is followed by Maundy Thursday (the time of the Last Supper), Good Friday (the scene of the Crucifixion), and Easter Sunday (the resurrection). None of these so-called religious holidays are listed, in scripture, to be celebrated by direction command, approved example, or even a necessary inference.

Throughout businesses and the public in general, you’ve seen people with the ash smudge on their forehead to show that they were “in church”. They leave it on the entire day as an outward sign of humility. However, Jesus condemned such a practice in scripture. We’ll look at these from Matthew 6.

…Of Men

Conduct while Giving Alms

The first example concerns charitable deeds. Jesus said in verse 2, “Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:2)

We know the Pharisees are all about ‘Pomp and Circumstance’ as Jesus relates in Matt. 23: 6-7, “They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’”

When they made an entrance they wanted people to know. When they did their charitable deeds of alms to the poor or giving to the synagogues they made sure there were witnesses around to see the amount that they gave.

The Jesus tell us what we should do instead, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, “that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:3-4)

  If at all possible, remain anonymous when donating money to charities; keep your name from being announced or published.  And when putting money in the offering plate keep the amount well hidden from prying eyes.

Conduct during Prayer

The second example concerns prayer. Jesus said, regarding the Pharisees, “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:5)

This reminds me of the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee prayed as such, …’God, I thank You that I am not like other men–extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. ‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ (Luke 18:11-12)

Jesus warned us that when we pray we are not to use vain repetitions (see verse 7).  But he does tell us how to pray, “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”(Matthew 6:6) Jesus also gave us an example of what we might pray in verses 9-13. This is known as the Model Prayer.

Conduct while Fasting

His final example is on fasting. He describes what Pharisees did, ““Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (Matthew 6:16)

Here, these individuals appear to be fasting to receive pity or to simply say: ‘Look at me! I’m suffering for God!’ But, for us, Jesus said, “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, “so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:17-18)

Although fasting isn’t usually practiced today (as a religious event), if one were to do it, it shouldn’t be such that you look like you’re fasting. As Jesus said, go about your day as if it’s just another day in your life.

…Of God

In all three of these examples, the Pharisees gave an outward expression of their “faith”. And Jesus condemned such examples. Why? The answer is found in Matthew 23 known as The Seven Woes (vs. 13-32).

One example is found in verse 23, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”

Here, Jesus shows that the pharisees were more concerned with the physical aspects rather than the spiritual ones. Again, it was all about being ‘seen by men’.

The next two examples are that of an exterior presence, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.” (Matthew 23:25)

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27)

Much like the ash cross on the forehead, all of this is for show to the public. A lot of times people don’t even change as they just stick to tradition and consider it to be enough.

Going back to the examples in Matthew 6, Jesus gives the remedy to each in turn telling what we should do to honor and please God. These things are to be done in secret, or private, and strictly for God’s sake not the world’s.

Conclusion

Much like wearing a cross (for jewelry) or T-shirts and bumper stickers with religious slogans, the ash smudge is showing the world how “humble” you are. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Being a Christian is a lifestyle change not a personal billboard. People will see the difference in the way you act, react, and speak. Change your heart first and the rest will change on its own. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)