“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” — 2 Corinthians 8:9

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Everybody wants to hold up the trophy at the end of the season, but the most important blood, sweat and tears are shed in the offseason, long before the season starts. The best and most productive players focus on proper nutrition and avoid overeating during this period of time. They are relentless in weightlifting and running, and perhaps swimming too for additional aerobic exercise. If they wait until the first day of training camp to run or build their muscles, they will get left behind and not get any playing time in games. Unselfishness and sacrifice are necessary to be a true team player.

Jesus gave up everything to come to earth, and we benefit from the infinite, spiritual riches of His incredible sacrifice. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

As we reflect on the insults, disrespect, unfairness and cruelty endured by Jesus during His first visit among us, we should be eternally grateful for the blood, sweat and tears poured out on our behalf to rescue us from our own wrongdoing. We get to truly know acceptance from God based upon Christ dying as our substitute and taking upon Himself what we deserved because we’ve wandered away from God’s commands so many times. When we compare Christ’s commitment to us with our flimsy faith, we should feel challenged to make a deeper and more lasting covenant with God. “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3).

The covenant offered through Christ has fewer “rules” than the Old Testament covenant, but the standard is the example of Christ, who lived out God’s ways to perfection. Christ lived a perfect life as the spotless Lamb, and offered His own life as payment for our sins. As Jesus ate the Passover meal with His disciples, He established a new remembrance by having the first Lord’s Supper (communion) with them. “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins'” (Matthew 26:26-28).

During this Easter season — and every day for that matter — let us be more mindful of the blood, sweat and tears shed by our dear Savior as He poured out His life for us. He gained nothing for Himself, but we were richly rewarded because Jesus washed away every sin for believers. If we lived well for the rest of our lives, we couldn’t repay him. Christ died for us, the least we can do is to live our lives for Him.

— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia

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