Those are good questions and deserving of a good answer, but they pale in comparison to a related question that comes from a different point of view.
What did Jesus give up for Lent?
Stop and think about it. The first verses in the Gospel of John tell us that Jesus was with God in the beginning and that without Him, nothing was made. Jesus is co-creator. He was before time and was all powerful. He gave all of that up when He came to earth.
He also gave up the immediacy of being in the presence of God continuously and in person to leave here on earth with the rest of us.
He gave up spiritual being in exchange for human form.
He gave up glory to take up humanity.
After only 33 years, He then gave up His physical life as a sacrifice for all of human kind. A sacrifice that was neither swift, painless nor honorable.
Christ never hesitated in the journey to the cross, where he yielded his life.
So what do we give up?
Maybe the thing we need to give up is the thought that giving something up is all about us and what we have to give up during this season.
My Father, Who Art in Heaven,
It is important that I sacrifice my life to You, just as Christ sacrificed His life for me. It is important that I remember at this time of year what was given for me. During this season of extraordinary holiness and the culmination of Christ’s work, help me to remember just what was given for me. Keep this memory fresh in my heart and soul every day.
In the name of Your son, the Lamb of Your sacrifice, I ask for Your grace and guidance, amen.
