LENT devotional - The Sacrifice

The Sacrifice
By Kay Haley
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And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice of God. Ephesians 5:2 (NIV)

April 8, 2011, I was building two large stage props for a passion play to be performed at our church for Good Friday. To construct the props, I was forming wire mesh into the shape of a life size figure of Jesus, to hang on a tall cross in the church yard. As I was finishing up and was amazed of how lifelike he was, I realized my hand was bleeding. I had cut it on the rough edges of the wire. I wasn’t in pain but I felt at that moment I needed to sit down, not because I was bleeding but because I was profoundly shocked at the realization of the sacrifice that was made for me. It was as if time had stopped. I remember repeating this verse several times throughout the following days of working on this project: 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)

Each year during the time of Lent, 40 days before Easter, I recall this emotional time in my life. Today when I think about the Lenten season I give thanks for this season to focus my walk with Jesus and where I am going with Him this year. It’s a time to look at all the opportunities to grow, to learn, to pray, to sacrifice my “cluttered life” for a more meaningful God centered life.

Lent is our opportunity to contemplate what our Lord really did for us on the cross. The cross is where we can place our faith, our salvation, and our hope fully in God’s hands.
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Loving God, Help me to open my heart and let everything I do come from you. Help me to be aware and thankful for the many ways you reach out to me to help me each day. Lead me think beyond my own wants and fill me with the desire to do your will, Amen.

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