Ash Wednesday 2026

Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT)

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

Grace and peace on this Ash Wednesday.

While we often associate this day with traditional liturgy, for us as evangelical believers, it serves as a powerful “Pause” button—a moment to fix our gaze intently upon the person and work of Jesus Christ. I hope you will join me today as I begin a 40-day journey toward the foot of the Cross, by meditating on what theologians call the Kenosis—the “emptying” described in the verses above.

The Bible tells us that Jesus “gave up his divine privileges.” He didn’t stop being God, but He refused to use His power for His own advantage. He traded the worship of angels for the “humble position of a slave.” He became low so that we might be lifted; He became “dust” so that we, who are but dust, might be clothed in His righteousness.

Over the next 40 days, we are meditating on life-altering truths that sit at the heart of our faith—and our study of Romans: Redemption, Propitiation, Justification, and Imputation.

To understand these, we must look at what Jesus laid aside. He stepped out of the timeless glory of heaven, where He was the object of perfect worship, and entered our broken world as a vulnerable infant. He surrendered the “right” to be served, choosing instead to be the Servant of all. He traded His crown for a crown of thorns, ultimately submitting to a horrifyingly brutal death. He did not merely die; He was executed as a common criminal, suffering the shame and agony of the cross between two thieves.

In this “Great Exchange,” He took our place to pay the ransom for our souls (Redemption), buying us back from our slavery to sin. He died to satisfy God’s justice (Propitiation), absorbing the judgment we deserved. Because He gave up His status, we receive a new one: He declares us righteous in His sight (Justification) and credits His own perfect record of obedience to our account (Imputation). Through His willing sacrifice, the “storm” of judgment is gone, and we are left standing in the warmth of God’s absolute favor and love.

I invite you to use these 40 days to “empty” yourselves of distractions. Let us look at the Cross not just as an event in history, but as the source of our daily life. Let us meditate on the Great Exchange: His fullness for our emptiness.

Father God,

We come before You today acknowledging that we are but dust, and to dust we shall return. But we thank You that You are the God who breathes life into the dry places. We look to Jesus, who gave up His divine privileges for our sake.

Lord, we submit our hearts to You anew. We surrender our pride, our personal agendas, and our need for control. We ask that during these 40 days, the reality of Your propitiation would sink deep into our souls—that we would live in the freedom of being fully forgiven and deeply loved.

Consecrate us, Holy Spirit. Set us apart for Your glory. May our lives reflect the humility of Christ and the joy of Your redemption. We are Yours—mind, body, and spirit.

In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.