Genesis 3:19 - For dust you are and to dust you will return

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Commentary

Today is Ash Wednesday, and for those of us from liturgical traditions, this Scripture is used by the priest as ashes mixed with oil are formed in the sign of the cross on our foreheads. It is a reminder that for all of the glories that we achieve in this life there will come a day when dust reclaims us. We will stand before our Creator with none of our possessions; only our deeds will be with us. And before a holy and perfect God, whose deeds can stand? Ash Wednesday is a stark reminder that humanity is in need of a savior. A savior whose life can bear the scrutiny of the judgment day. Thus the sign of the cross; it is our only hope. But what a great hope it is! He died and rose from the dead and we will rise with him from our dust on that final day.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC