The supreme
example of self-surrender is Jesus. On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus
surrendered himself to God’s plan. Jesus didn’t pray, “God, if you’re able to
take away this pain, please do so.” He began by affirming that God can do
anything!
He prayed,“God, if it is in your best interest to
remove his suffering, please do so. But if it fulfills your purpose, that’s
what I want, too.”
The
sacrifice wasn’t even for His own sake. It was for OUR salvation, a genuine
sacrifice.
“For God did not send his Son into the
world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John
3:17
If
we were to have this level of genuine surrender, when we had problems, instead
of praying for a solution, we would pray, “Father,
if this problem, pain, sickness, or circumstance is needed to fulfill your
purpose and glory in my life or in another’s life, please don’t take it away!”
Well,
God probably doesn’t hear that too often.
However, when the situation exists anyway, many pray that it bring God
glory in the way that it is lived. Surrendering ourselves is hard work. In
Jesus’ case, he agonized so much over God’s plan that he sweat drops of blood. It
truly was a sacrifice on His part, and at that moment,
He hadn’t even faced the
cross. Honestly, I can’t even imagine being willing to do this. Many
give up something for Lent, and unless it is truly a sacrifice and brings you
closer to God, it is meaningless. What did God give up for Lent? He gave up his Son. Jesus gave up His life.
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