Lent 3- Sacrifice

March 3rd 2017-Lent 3: Sacrifice

Sacrifice comes in many forms and it is quite fitting that this is one of the themes in my Lent reflections. Sacrifice painted the 40 days of Jesus' stay in the desert with great depth. 40 days without food, tempted to use his authority for personal gain. 40 days away from people after the public declaration of who he was. Sacrifice is so often seen as a negative word, bringing up feelings of pain and loss however it is through sacrifice that we gain so much. 

We can sacrifice many thins for the benefit of others, our money, our time, even in some cases our dignity. Sacrifice is never something we see as benefiting ourselves, instead it is a truly unselfish action aimed at bringing about gain for others. Jesus, through fasting from food for 40 days did not benefit himself in this accomplishment, but prepared himself for a ministry that would change the course of history. A ministry directly affecting those he encountered. He was sure of who he was before heading out into the desert, his Baptism made sure of that, so he did not go into the desert to prove his abilities or make a point about who he was, instead he gave an example that in order to serve others we must sometimes deny ourselves the very things we want or need.

The Christian journey is not always an easy one. It isn't about just giving up your Sunday mornings to sing a few songs and hear someone speak. Instead God calls us to sacrifice who we are for the sake of his Kingdom. As we come before him we can be made to sacrifice our own plans and directions in life in order to live the course he has laid out for us. This sacrifice challenges the very selfish desires of our human nature but as we step in to obedience, allowing for the renewal of our minds, we can see that God's call for sacrifice is not a negative call but a gentle message that, although the journey may be tough, his way is better.

Sacrifice from a worldly point of view is painful yet the heavenly point of view celebrates the one who steps into self denial for the sake of others and the sake of the kingdom. Through sacrifice we deny ourselves and in doing become more like the people God has called us to be. x