The centurion’s child was sick to the point of death. So are you. You don’t look like it. You don’t feel like it. After all, you came to school today. So how are you sick to death?

Sin makes you sick to death. You’re born with it. It clings to you. You can’t get rid of it. It will bring you down to the grave. So in a few minutes these words of Our Lord will ring out loud and clear: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return!” The ashes remind us we are not going to live forever. A grave is waiting for us because of all the bad we’ve done, the bad we are at our heart and core. So be sorry for your sins.

But those ashes will be in the shape of a cross. Your grave is not the end. Your life will be restored. For Jesus died. He was punished on The Cross for your sins that take you to the grave. So you are forgiven. Your sin is taken away from you. You are not going to die eternally. You are not worthy of Him, but He comes to you anyway and forgives you, forgives you with His Word, “I forgive you all your sins.” And you live eternally.