The Passion of Christ
Did you know (I didn’t) that the word passion comes from the Latin word “pati,” which means to suffer or endure? The connection resonates with me. Passion is intense, it pulls us, it drives us to new places, and sometimes, it even eludes us. Yet we often think of our passions as only enjoyment and fun. Perhaps we’ve missed our passion in life because we’ve shunned the discipline and the learning that comes from it.
“America is the first culture in jeopardy of amusing itself to death.” ― John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life .
If the events of Holy Week teaches us anything about Jesus’ life and mission, it is that He saw through the pain to the glory on the other side. He endured the suffering that we might be healed! He died (and quite horribly too!) that we might live! But because he took on our sin and the abuse of a condemned man though He had the power of God and legions of Angels at His command. With such love, Jesus was elevated to highest in Heaven that we might rise with him.
“Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
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,
to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11 (NIV)
So how shall we respond to such a love?
“If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great.” ― John Piper, A Hunger For God
Leave a Reply