As we enter this Lenten season, we turn to Jesus and reflect on His life.  It is astounding and humbling that the co-creator of the universe stepped out of the glories of eternal fellowship in the heavens, with His Father, to become one of us, walk this earth and give His life.  As His followers we celebrate Jesus paying the price of our sin that we couldn’t pay, being the atoning sacrifice.  That is certainly true and amazing, but I want to shift our perspective a bit. 

Instead of just thanking Jesus for His sacrifice and taking our place – what if we saw, like the early believers did, that Jesus was giving us an example to actually follow?  Jesus is telling us, “As I am holding close to the Father and giving my life, may you also hold close to Him and give your life.” This is precicely what I believe He is meaning when He said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”  (Luke 9:23-24)  Faith in Jesus is not just about going to heaven when we die.  If it is, what’s this life for?  Following Jesus means living in His footsteps, living in His Kingdom and by His kingdom’s standards which are rooted in love, a love that gives and sacrifices.

Yes, may gratitude and thanksgiving fill us because of what Jesus has done, but may we also be strengthened by His Spirit to sacrifice for the good of others, to lose so another can gain, to love an enemy and truly wish them well.  The way of Jesus, being His disciple, is one of laying down our pride and being a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) each day.  “Not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)