“For God was pleased to have all His fulness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19)
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in the appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on the cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8)
The definition of sacrifice is more than just “giving up something”, it must be paired with an attitude of “willingness”. Jesus was not forced to do something that He did not want to do. He “humbled” Himself and willingly gave up His rights and privileges as God’s Son. This does not mean that the horrors of the cross were something that Jesus desired. He did not enjoy the cross! It means that He was willing to face it and endure the suffering that came with it because of His great love for us.
On our lenten journey we must go as willing travelers. We must use this time to evaluate our lenten attitude. Are we “subjecting” ourselves to the inconvenience of giving up something in our observance or are we “submitting” ourselves to our Lord through sacrifice despite the discomfort?
When Isaiah found himself in the presence of God in Isaiah 6:1-8, he was confronted with his own sinfulness and humbled himself before the Lord. God cleansed him and issued a call for someone to “go” on mission for Him. Isaiah’s sacrificial response was “Here am I, send me” (vs. 8).
Today, are you willing to submit yourself to the Lord and His call upon your life? It will involve blessing and sacrifice but both require an attitude of voluntary obedience based on our love for Jesus. When meditating on Christ’s sacrifice for you make sure He knows that you are willing and available…pray simply…”Here am I, send me”.