Thoughts for the Day

Let the same mind be in you
that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Yesterday we looked at Holy Cross Day, a major feast day in honour of Christ's self-offering on the cross for our salvation. Today's collect, that is the prayer for the day, recalls that an instrument of painful death was made 'to be for us the means of life and peace' and prays that 'we may gladly suffer for his sake'.

A book that had a major effect upon my early Christian working-life, is W.H.Vanstone's book 'The Stature of Waiting'. Vanstone argues that we should not blame Jesus' crucifixion on the actions of Judas' alone, rather just as we make ourselves open to pain and hurt when we truly love another person, so although God is impassable (cannot be affected by us, for instance), Jesus chooses 'by his own will, to wait upon the decisions and deed of men'. In other words he 'surrenders his own freedom' and offers himself for death. Only perfect love will do this - love so strong that it will offer life itself, to save the other person. We cannot doubt that Jesus could have saved himself if he chose, but his love for the Father and his love for us (as well as the Father's love for us) would lead to the ultimate offering so that we can be rescued and offered eternal life.

Today we should truly celebrate this glorious activity of God - that He gave of Himself to us, and lovingly surrendered Himself for our sake. Can we do less?

Lord Jesus Christ,
Your love for us was so great
that You offered Yourself
to death on a cross
for our sake.
May we never take this for granted,
and may we see the sign of the cross
for what it truly is -
perfect love offered for us.
Help us to learn to love others
as You love us.
Amen.