Lent 2024 | Day 6

By Janet Nygren
Day 6 (Tuesday, Feb 20)

As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-center my scattered senses upon the presence of God.¹

Pause and pray.

“Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus who…made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness…He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

Think about it.

Jesus is our model for suffering. While we talk about figuratively dying to ourselves, he really did it, for the sake of love. But we don’t suffer just for the sake of suffering, nor did Jesus. He suffered in order to restore the love relationship that we broke off. We jilted him, but he wouldn’t let us go. His suffering, having accomplished its purpose, resulted in resurrection–literally, but also in what we would call a “resurrection moment,” in that we benefited from his action–new life, new relationship with God, new outlook on life, new ability to love others. We often take that for granted. Let’s think about it today.

Pause and pray.

Consider.

When I celebrate a birthday or anniversary, I often try to take time with a loved one to reflect on significant things that have happened in the past year or decade, or remember past things I’ve done to celebrate. What are some highlights you can remember in your relationship with Jesus, that have come about because of his willingness to die and rise again on your behalf?

Pray.

Jesus, help me to know you better.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Notes
¹ Prayer used daily in Lectio365 found at https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/