Daily Reading
Daily Reflection
This is a synopsis of the career of Jesus Christ. In verses 16-18 we see that he was exalted, high up and then in verses 19-20 it talks about him coming down, becoming subject to the father, submissive to the father, doing only what the father tells him to do. Then, at a certain point he is brought back up so that he has all honor and glory with the father and has all judgment entrusted to him. He begins high, goes low and then is placed on high again.
Here we have one of the most practical yet unpopular principles of the Christian life and it goes like this:
The way up is down
The way to happiness is not to seek your own happiness, but the happiness of others
The way to exultation is humility
The way to honor is not to seek your own, but to honor God
The way to heal is to be willing to be broken
The way to greatness is to serve
The way to riches is to give away
The way to find your life is to lose your life
The way up is down and as we examine the life of Jesus this is the way to maturity, peace, joy, contentment. Jesus did this from the vantage point of God. He knew that his giving up all would bring the healing on the world. Therefore, when we embrace Jesus into our life, we gain a new vantage point. And from this vantage point we see redemption and we let go all those ways we thought would lift us up and trust in the deeper wisdom of God.
Daily Worship Resources
Morning Readings: Psalm 128 > | Exodus 16:1-8 >
Evening Readings: Colossians 1:15-23 >
Other Resources
Read Introduction to the Lent Tradition >
Download pdf of entire Lent devotion >