This Wednesday is “Ash Wednesday” and marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Psalm 6, helps us begin the Lenten season in a correct posture—that of penitence.
Now, if you are like me you immediately think back to the movie Indian Jones and the Last Crusade (the third—and best!—film from the original Lucas/Spielberg trilogy). In case you forgot: the “Breath of God” is the first of three tests that Dr. Jones has to pass in order to reach the Holy Grail. The instructions for the test simply say “only the penitent man shall pass” which leads Dr. Jones to kneel, just in time, before giant, booby-trapped, saw blades come swinging overhead! Ok, ok, so why the 1980’s pop-culture reference? Because it helps us think about penitence. Jones understood to kneel because it was an act of penitence, of submission, of humility, of repentance.
The analogy only goes so far of course. Our penitence, has us kneeling before a gracious and sacrificial God who suffers for us and with us—not before giant decapitating saw blades! But here’s the thing: there is something about this little phrase “only the penitent man shall pass” that actually rings true for the Christian—you might even say, its Biblical. Psalm 6 begins:
“Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger / or discipline me in your wrath. / Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint…”
The life of faith begins here: acknowledging our need for God—there is no other way in. There is no such thing as a Christian who cannot say, with humble penitence, “Lord, have mercy on me.”
The life of faith also returns here—again and again and again… and again… and again (and again). Martin Luther wrote that "Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance."
To be clear: the point is not to cry, or to chastise ourselves, or, as Augustine said, “to fall in love with our sorrow.” Psalms like Psalm 6 and the season of Lent, are not intended to be morose, self-flagellation. Rather… as Paul tells the Corinthian church:
“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10
My prayer is that the season of Lent becomes precisely this for us: a season of godly grief that produces repentance leading to salvation.
-Chaz H.