A Heart Filled With Gratitude

Yesterday I tried to print off something last minute, but for some reason my card simply would not work. I tried multiple times and was about to give up, when a complete stranger swiped her card, and paid for my copies without saying a word. I thanked her with a heart overflowing with gratitude. What a kind gesture!

As I was still thinking about what had just happened, a thought crossed my mind. If a small gesture like this stirs my heart, should not the sacrifice of Jesus bring me to my knees in utter gratitude? Even logic tells us that our gratitude should at least be somewhat in proportion to the cost of the gift.

How then can it be that I so often treat the gift of Jesus so lightly?

Jesus gave up EVERYTHING He had. He not only left His heavenly home, but He also set aside His divinity for us. This was not everything though. Besides growing up in poverty, and being despised by the world, He died for us that we may be free. It was not the thought of dying that put Him through the agony of Gethsemane and the cross, but rather the excruciating pain of separation with His Father. It was not the pain of the thorny crown, and nail-pierced hands and feet, but rather the pain of that separation that sin causes that caused Him to cry out: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?"

This truly is the Ultimate Sacrifice. Jesus had to bear the cross alone. He had to "taste death", yes He had to "become sin" in order that we might live. He did not have the comfort of His heavenly Father like the martyrs did when they were delivered unto death. Jesus went to the cross longing for just one word from heaven. Just one word of assurance would have made things so much easier,but no, He had to experience the ultimate consequence of sin. Complete separation from God. He could not see beyond the cross and grave, and yet He chose to die for us. All of heaven were at His command, and only one word would have been enough to bring the heavenly host to His side. Yet our Savior did not use that power which was rightfully His, but rather become obedient unto death, even the death of a cross. Oh what wondrous love is this! When I stop to truly think about it I can't help but fall down at my Savior's feet. He died that I may be free! He gave up everything for a sinner like me. Oh may I never forget this. May my life reflect my gratitude. May His praises every be on my lips. May I live a life of victory through His strength. May there be more of Jesus, and oh so much less of me.