Many of my friends have taken up observing Lent in recent years, but I have never participated. One friend shared with me what she learned from her Lenten observance this year—it’s much harder to give up something that you already have and enjoy than to have never had it in the first place. Although she gave up a familiar indulgence, chocolate, the act of giving up something she regularly enjoyed caused her to think more about her own family situation as they are struggling with their finances in these economic times. At one time, money was not an issue in her household, but now they are suffering from financial loss of income and hardship. She said it’s more difficult to lose it than to have never had it. This led her to consider the fact that Jesus had it all before His incarnation. She came to a greater understanding of the sacrifice He made in coming to earth knowing the glories of heaven and yet willingly forsaking it all and giving Himself.
When she shared her new deeper understanding with me I was reminded of
Philippians 2:5-8 which says, “Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.” (The Message)
He gave it all for me. And He did it for me, a sin-sick woman. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Oh praise Him for His great sacrifice for me!
Father God I praise You that You are sovereign with an eternal plan.
Please forgive me when I take your great sacrifice for granted.
Thank You that You had it all, yet You gave it all – for me.
Please remind me anew during this Passion week of Your love for me and the demonstration of that love through all that You gave up to come to earth to live and die – and praise You that it didn’t end there. I praise You for Your resurrection!
In Christ’s Name, Amen.
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