A Grateful Response - The Promise of Lent Devotional

A Grateful Response

Read: Hebrews 13:10-16

Let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

Hebrews 13:15

JESUS SUFFERED “outside the city gates” (verse 12) in order to fulfill his role as our sacrifice. Not only is that image loaded with sacred symbolism; it’s also loaded with meaning for those of us who follow in his footsteps. The writer of Hebrews uses Jesus’ sacrifice outside the city to parallel our discipleship. Christ offered himself; so do we. He did not try to fit into the world’s ways; neither should we. He endured the pain and suffering of the cross for “the joy awaiting him” (Hebrews 12:2); so must we. We’re given every reason to enjoy the goodness of God in this world, but we can’t afford to invest our entire lives in its fleeting conditions. “This world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come” (13:14). We must be willing to be marginalized in this age in order to experience the fullness of the Kingdom. Just like Jesus.

The beauty of this passage in Hebrews, and of this gospel as a whole, is that it unites sacrifice with praise, temporary rejection with an eternal home, and suffering with glory. While many people pity Christians for being out of touch, self-deprived, or some other lamentable condition, we embrace these very things as our stepping-stones into the riches of the Kingdom. Where many see rough-hewn rocks, we see diamonds waiting to be cut and polished. Though some avoid servanthood at all costs, we see it as a path to greatness. While some see childlikeness as immaturity, we see it as the key to spiritual power. Yes, our values look skewed to a watching world, but only because they don’t fit into a false system. In the Kingdom, they are truth that lasts.

Seek fellowship and love in this world, but don’t be afraid to be found “outside the city” at times. This is a fitting response of gratitude and praise for the one who died outside the city for us. Being in his Kingdom comes at a cost, but it also comes with far greater rewards—in this age and the age to come (Luke 18:29-30). However difficult life in this world becomes for you, continually lift up a sacrifice of praise to God. When you do, you are not only declaring your loyalty to him; you are embracing the values of his Kingdom. And you will never be outside the gates of his city.

PRAYER

Whether I feel like I belong in this world or not, Lord, I know I belong in your Kingdom. For that, I praise you from the depths of my heart, today and forever. Amen.

REFLECTION

In what ways, if any, does your citizenship in heaven make you uncomfortable in this world? What do you think it means to offer Jesus a “sacrifice of praise”?