In 1968, “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing” became a number one smash hit for the duet of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Written by the iconic husband and wife team of Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, the song extols the virtues of and defines real love as an in-person encounter.
The “real thing” of in-person love is counter to love that is long-distance in nature. So, the question must be asked is the love of couples separated for any number of reasons the “real thing”? Or is the real thing only in-person love?
This tension of what is the real thing is at the heart of Ash Wednesday and the text we explore today from Matthew Chapter 6. Jesus slams the Pharisees and other Jewish authorities saying, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1)
Jesus goes on to define real faith as acts done in private: when you give to the needy, donate privately (vv. 2–4); when you pray, pray privately (vv. 5–6); when you fast, or abstain do it privately (vv. 16–18).
How can this text that implores private acts of righteousness square with the very visible and public act of faith we do on Ash Wednesday? With the very visible imposition of ashes placed on the forehead along with the very public fasting of Lent.
Jesus understands this tension between public and private acts of faith. He resolves this question on the cross. The crucifixion of Jesus was a public act of faith and it had to be. We had to see the nails being put in his hands. We had to see the crown of thorns being placed on his head. We had to see the suffering. We had to see Jesus die, we had to see him taken to the grave.
We had to see this authentic act of faith so that we can practice authentic acts of faith in private most of the time or in public on days like today Ash Wednesday.
The song “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing” concludes with the lovers Marvin and Tammi proclaiming that they as so glad they got the “real thing”. On this Ash Wednesday, as we enter 40 days of meeting the test of forging a more intimate relationship with God. Let us rejoice that we got the real thing in Jesus.
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