Infinitum Lent JourneySample

Today we consider Jesus & Generosity in the context of Lent.

Welcome to Jesus & Generosity. Previously, we have considered Jesus & Surrender, Surrender & Me. You’ll remember the three Lenten features—fasting, penitence, and preparation for baptism—roughly correspond with the Infinitum foci of surrender, generosity, and mission, and that we are matching them in our reading plans through the Infinitum Lent Collection. And now, Jesus & Generosity.

A generous person is “showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected.” Synonyms include – “liberal, lavish, magnanimous, munificent, giving, openhanded, free-handed, bountiful, unselfish, ungrudging, unstinting, unsparing, free, indulgent, prodigal, princely, bounteous, plenteous, kind, benevolent, beneficent, altruistic, charitable, philanthropic, noble, lofty, high-minded, big-hearted, honorable, good, self-sacrificing, unprejudiced, disinterested.”

The second definition is “showing kindness toward others.” And the third? “Larger or more plentiful than is usual or necessary.”

Jesus and generosity? Here is the definition of magnanimity: “the fact or condition of being magnanimous; generosity.” And Jesus epitomizes a magnanimous spirit throughout this episode. Things are coming to a head in the Jesus reclamation operation, with opponents mobilizing to thwart what they (mis)understand to be Jesus’ purposes.

Jesus knows that he is on the verge of a stupendous sacrificial act of generosity and tries to explain it to his crowd. Yes, he is going to Glory (verse 23), but he is making a way for everyone to join him (this is inferred from his identification with the kernel of wheat that dies BUT produces, “many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives” (verse 24 NLT). Magnanimous!

In the middle of the conversation, God the Father audibly answers from heaven! (verse 28)

The crowd is befuddled—What was that! Was that a voice? Was it thunder? Was it…? (verse 29)

Jesus clarifies that God the Father spoke for their benefit (verse 30). “Larger and more plentiful than necessary.”

Here’s the climax of the chat: “Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”

Jesus is shining his light in the world to protect people from darkness and invites us all not only to trust in the light while there is time but in so doing to become children of light. He shares of himself for our benefit—the magnanimous God.