And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8, NIV)
We find ourselves in the midst of the highest holy week on the Christian calendar.
Looking around, you wouldn’t necessarily know this, of course. It’s not like Christmas, where you drive past nativity scenes and hear carols played in the stores: “Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King…”
Easter hasn’t seeped outside the walls of the church in the way that Christmas has. So if you weren’t religious, you wouldn’t have reason to “see Jesus” this time of year. And even among us who call ourselves by Christ’s name, our passions too often lie elsewhere.
This week, we know, is called the Passion Week. It’s an awkward name now, when passion holds a certain meaning in a sex-charged culture. And yet, it must stand for a reason, if only this: Jesus’ passion was true.
In our time, passion does not require love. Jesus’ passion began with his love.
In our time, passion enlists itself with pleasure. Jesus’ passion made him obedient to death.
In our time, passion emphasizes self, not sacrifice. Jesus’ passion would not have been necessary but for the sacrifice demanded for our sin and the sacrifice he made in laying down his life for us.
In our time, passion’s leftovers confuse, fester, and hurt. Jesus’ passion bought salvation for all who call on his name.
True passion is well-founded, forcefully enacted, and eternally significant. Jesus’ passion was all of these.
You may say that you are passionate about any number of things—certainly, if you are reading this, you have probably said (or it has been said of you) that you are passionate about golf. In actuality, many of these passions may only be fancies, nothing we’d defend with our lives. But if our passion is to follow Christ’s passion, let it begin where his own passion began: with his love for us. Let us see that love above all things, and we will follow the worthy God and not fading idols.
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Jeff Hopper
March 27, 2013
Copyright 2013 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.