2017 Belmont University Lenten Devotional GuideSample

The Lenten season offers us a space to think about sacrifice. Although most of us do not come from traditions where sacrifice is a part of our everyday worship experiences, during Lent we are invited to consider this seemingly obscure notion of our faith. Undoubtedly when we do consider this notion, we almost instinctively place ourselves in the role of “sacrificer.” We ponder the ways we sacrifice our time, our money and our resources. What do we bring to the table in any given situation? What are we willing to deny ourselves to provide our offering?

However, we are challenged during Lent to acknowledge how inadequate we really are when it comes to sacrifice. In Hebrews we read: “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (Hebrews 10:8). We are reminded that even with the best intentions, even with the most significant cost to ourselves, even when we do so in accordance with the law—we still come up short. Thus, we move from the giver to the receiver. Any sacrifice we can claim to make only illuminates for us the larger sacrifice made by Christ in His words “Here I Am.” Our sacrifices could never warrant what has been made ours through the cross.

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10)

CHRISTY RIDINGS
Director of Spiritual Formation
University Ministries