Giving something up is a traditional practice of the season, but often we do not venture past giving up something like chocolate or wine. Perhaps God wants us to give up something more significant, and more importantly, perhaps God wants us to give up these things in order to make room for something better, more impactful… God’s steadfast love in Jesus Christ. So this Lent, let’s give up hubris for humility and greed for gratefulness. Throughout these 40 days, let’s give it up for Lent so our hearts can grow closer to Christ!
Giving up Denying God for God’s Greatest Gift
Life and death stand side by side as we enter into Good Friday. In John’s gospel, Jesus reveals the power and glory of God, even as he is put on trial and sentenced to death. As we hear the Passion Story, we acknowledge that we betray Jesus like Judas, deny Jesus like Peter, and we stand at the foot of the cross crying, “Crucify him,” like the crowd. Yet, as we venerate the cross, we proclaim, “Behold the life-giving cross on which was hung the Savior of the whole world.” On this night, let us give up denying God in order to receive the greatest gift – God’s triumphant love in Jesus’ death and resurrection.