A Descended Godनमुना

He Left It All

“Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” by Emily Elliot

Verse One:

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.

This year, there was a lot to say about the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Lots of outstanding stories and even some controversial ones. It wasn’t the first time the Olympics were held there. Back in 1924, the world went to Paris for the big show.

One athlete was a Scottish man named Eric Liddell. He was an outstanding rugby player, a fast runner, and a devout Christian. He didn’t run in his strongest event at the Olympics that year, the 100-meter dash, because it was scheduled for a Sunday, and he wanted to honor the Sabbath, but he placed third in the 200-meter race. It was the 400-metre race, however, that made his name famous. He sprinted out of the blocks at such a great speed that a couple of other runners stumbled, just trying to keep up. He ended up winning in a then-record time of 47.6 seconds.

So, what did this exceptional runner do following the Olympics? How did he further his athletic career?

He left it all behind to become a missionary to China. He ended up dying in a Japanese internment camp in World War II.

Why would he give up all that fame and future for an obscure missions posting on the other side of the world?

He had seen his own Master do the same thing!

Jesus, of course, is far greater than any Olympic athlete. He is the Lord of Heaven. The God of Angel Armies. The King of kings.

And He left all of that behind to come to earth.

He did it because of His astounding love for us. He was willing to humble Himself to become a servant and suffer death so we might live.

He is our true hero, and we celebrate His arrival at Christmas.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You said that if anyone wants to save his life, he must lose it (Matthew 16:25). Help me be a man willing to die to everything in my life so that I may live for You. May there be nothing in my life that I cling to more than You. You are worthy of it all! Amen.

Reflection: What would you be willing to give up for the glory of our Lord? Is there anything in your life so valuable to you that you wouldn’t sacrifice it for Jesus if He asked you to?