who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 2: 14
It seems like true giving has been lost. It’s no longer around. You used to see giving everywhere. People would wave and let other cars merge from two lanes into one. If you were in line at the grocery store and only had one or two items, complete strangers with a shopping cart full of stuff would gladly encourage you to go ahead of them.
But now, giving’s not just rare, but very rare. People move back and forth to make sure that no one even thinks about trying to cut in front of them. The attitude of, “I waited my turn, I earned this spot. If I waited in line, so can they” fills everywhere people get together.
Another part of modern giving is what I call the equation of giving. It goes something like this: if I give you this, what will I get? Modern giving isn’t free, it always, always, always comes with strings attached.
In just a few words, Paul tells Titus one of the most amazing and powerful truths in all the world. He says that Jesus gave himself. Let that sink in for a minute. Jesus, God from all eternity past, the one who made the universe, gave himself. The one who made us gave himself for us.
Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us.
Philippians 2:7 CEV
Let’s stop for a minute and just think about how Jesus gave himself for you and me.
Gave up everything. Not just a few things that he had from eternity past. No he gave it all up. He didn’t hide some of it just in case he needed it. No, he came to earth with empty pockets and empty hands.
Became a slave. We don’t like the “S” word today, and with good reason. But that’s just how Jesus came to earth for us. He wasn’t born in a castle, but in a stable with animals.
Like one of us. He didn’t live in a bubble where the pain and sorrow of this life somehow couldn’t get through to him. He lived a real life on this world that had all the problems and pains that we all have.
I don’t know how these things impact you, but my hands tremble when I think about them. I come up empty when I try to put into words how far he came down for us. From the throne of heaven to a dirty world filled with selfish and sinful people just like me. From being worshipped and adored by angles to being betrayed, arrested, tortured, and crucified. From being the way, the truth, and the life[1] to being lied about, slapped, and spit at.
When Jesus gave himself, it wasn’t forced. No one put a gun to his head and said, “Ok now. Go give yourself.” No one had to convince him either. “Now Jesus, you’ve got to do this. Come on Jesus, you can do it.” No one had to threaten him. “Jesus, if you don’t give yourself for them, I’m going to beat you senseless.” And no one had to guilt him either. “I’m not going to like you Jesus unless you give yourself.”
Jesus gave himself for a specific purpose. It wasn’t to win a race. It wasn’t to win some trophy or to be voted Most Valuable Player. No, nothing so normal or ordinary. He gave himself for us. For you and for me. And Paul lists three reasons for Titus and us to learn from.
First: to redeem us from all wickedness. Jesus’ death on the cross paid the ransom that was on all of us. We had a crushing price on our head because of our selfishness and rebellion against God. His death on the cross cleared this debt once and for all. Period. Nothing’s left of it. It’s been stamped, “Paid in full” and never to be reopened again.
Second: to purify for himself a people that are his very own. Jesus also made us clean, changing us into his spotless children. This threw open the doors for us to be welcomed into an intimate and transparent relationship with God our Heavenly Father. Not as strangers, but people who are known and welcomed by him.
Third: to be eager to do what is good. If our debt has been fully paid, and the doors of heaven have been opened to us, how can we stay the same. Our daily lives will be transformed because the terrible weight of all our sins has been removed once and for all. We’ll not just want to go good for others, we’ll be on the lookout for ways to be good to everyone.
All these words are true. Jesus made this kind of sacrifice and payment for us. We’re finally free from the weight of sin, guilt, and shame. He’s given us freedom, meaning, and purpose in this life and for all eternity. Shouts of joy and praise should be filling our mouths and lives.
So, why isn’t it? Are we looking to more clearly understand the simple truth that God gave? Will we let those two words sink into the place where we give ourselves to him?
Noodling Questions
Why is the idea of God giving so helpful and inviting to us?
Why is the idea of us giving so painful and disruptive?
What’s it going to take for us to give more? And then to give again?
[1] John 14:6
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