Ash Wednesday, 2008
Rev. Brian L. Kachelmeier
St. Matthew 6:19-21
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
During the Super Bowl there was a commercial about career changes. The commercial opened up with a lady sitting at her desk. She was not “fully there.” Suddenly, her heart burst out of her chest and walked down the hall toward her boss. It held up a sign that said, “I quit.” Then the heart walked out. Across the screen appeared these words “Follow your heart.” Now this lady was physically present at her job, but her heart was not there. Her heart was not in it.
Now tonight, we are physically present here, but is your heart here? Where is your heart?
In our Gospel text, Jesus declares to us, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rustdestroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21 ESV) So again, where is your heart? Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”(Matt. 6:21 ESV)
If your treasure is in the things of the world, then that is where your heart is. If you treasure is in the things of heaven, then that is where your heart is. Is your heart in the right place? In Matthew chapter 15, Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah and said, “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” (Matt. 15:8 ESV) Is your heart far from the Lord? We are called to love the Lord with all of our heart, not just some of it, not just a fraction of it, not just a piece of it, but all of it.
We begin this season of Lent with are heart check up. First, we begin by recognizing that we do not love the Lord with all of our hearts. Second, we realize that too often our hearts are set on the wrong things. Third, we listen to the Word of Jesus that says,“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1 ESV)Again Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27 ESV)
Our hearts constantly lean toward the treasures of the earth. Thus, in the season of Lent we intentionally gauge our heart condition. We do not want our hearts to become dull and calloused to the Lord and His Word. For this reason, Christians through the centuries have set aside this time of the year to give up the things of the world. We don’t give up things like beer, chocolate, excessive entertainment to impress God. No, we give up such earthly things to help us place our treasure in heaven where our hearts truly belong. Fasting is bodily exercise for the sake of spiritual discipline. These are devotional forms of piety to help set your heart in the right place.
Outward disciplines prepare the heart to be filled with true heavenly treasures which we get from the Word of God. Tonight when we put the ashes on our foreheads, this is only done as an outward preparation to remind us that we are mortal and we shall all die one day. This is done to help us to focus on the remedy of the Gospel. This medicine is administered into our ears, placed upon our lips, and fills our hearts. As we gather for the Sacrament of the altar, I declare to you “Lift up your hearts.” In other words place your treasure in heaven where your heart belongs. Once again you respond, “We lift them to the Lord.” It is Jesus who comes to comfort our hearts cleansing them and making them right with Him. It is with our mouths that we confess Jesus Christ as Lord and it is with our hearts that we believe. The Holy Spirit continues to work in our hearts through His Word to renew us and strengthen us. Your treasure is in heaven. Amen.
