COMMONWEALTH

Ash Wednesday 2026 Sermon on James 1:2–18

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season many people associate with giving something up. We think of fasting, repentance, and discipline. We prepare ourselves to surrender habits, comforts, and distractions.

In many ways, Lent and Advent are quite similar. During Advent, we wait in hopeful anticipation for the coming of Christ, looking outward with expectation and joy. Lent invites us to look inward with honesty and humility as we prepare our hearts to remember Christ’s suffering and sacrifice. One season leans toward longing and promise; the other toward repentance and renewal. Yet both ultimately lead us to the same grace.

Lent is not only about what we give up. It is also about what God gives. In Epistle of James 1:2–18, we discover that even in hardship, even in testing, God is at work placing gifts into our lives — gifts that shape us, steady us, and draw us closer to Him. Trials produce perseverance. Wisdom is given generously. Every good and perfect gift comes from above.

As we enter this holy season, we can see Lent not merely as a time of loss, but as a time of receiving — receiving endurance, wisdom, maturity, and the unchanging goodness of God.

Here are five gifts Lent offers us.

Gift 1: The Gift of Perseverance

James begins with surprising words: “Count it all joy… when you meet trials of various kinds.” This does not mean we enjoy suffering, but that we recognize what God produces through it. Trials form perseverance—a steady, resilient faith that does not collapse under pressure. Lent trains us in this kind of endurance: fasting teaches us to say no, confession teaches us honesty, and silence teaches us trust. Through these practices, God strengthens our spiritual stamina. Perseverance is a gift because it roots our faith deeper than our circumstances and reminds us that God remains faithful even when life is hard.

Gift 2: The Gift of Wisdom

James tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously.” Lent slows us down and creates space to listen. In the noise of everyday life, we often react rather than discern and rush rather than reflect. But in this season, through prayer, Scripture, and quiet reflection, God gives wisdom—not just knowledge, but spiritual clarity. Wisdom helps us see what truly matters, reveals where our hearts have drifted, and enables us to recognize God’s work even in our struggles. And James assures us that God gives this wisdom generously and graciously to all who ask.

Gift 3: The Gift of Humility

James reminds believers that worldly status does not define true worth. In God’s kingdom, humility is not weakness—it is freedom. This truth is embodied in the ashes of Ash Wednesday, as the words “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” remind us that we are not self-sufficient. Humility frees us from the burden of proving ourselves and assures us that our worth comes from God’s love, not our achievements; our hope rests in grace, not performance. In humility, we finally have space to receive mercy.

Gift 4: The Gift of the Crown of Life

James offers a powerful promise: “Blessed is the one who remains steadfast… he will receive the crown of life.” Lent moves us toward Easter, beginning with ashes but ending with resurrection. The crown of life reminds us that suffering does not have the final word and that trials are not the end of our story. God promises lasting life to those who endure in faith, and this hope sustains us when the journey feels long.

Gift 5: The Gift of God’s Love

James concludes by grounding everything in God’s character: “Every good and perfect gift is from above… from the Father of lights.” God is not the source of our harm but the giver of all that is good, and His love does not shift or change like shadows. Even the difficult experiences of life, in God’s hands, can become instruments of grace. This love is most clearly seen in Christ, who entered our suffering, bore our sin, and gave His life so that we might receive new birth.

Receiving the Gifts of Lent

Lent is not merely a season of subtraction but a season of formation and grace. As we walk these forty days, God offers us perseverance to endure, wisdom to see clearly, humility to depend on Him, the promise of eternal life, and above all His unchanging love. This season invites us not only to surrender what weighs us down, but also to open our hands and hearts to receive the gifts God longs to give. May this Lent be not just a time of giving things up, but a time of being drawn deeper into the transforming grace of God.