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February 19th, 2024
Today’s reading from 2024 Lenten Journey

Made Alive in Christ

Scripture

 

Made Alive in Christ

1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

 

Reflection

 

Have you ever found hidden treasure at a flea market? A knowledgeable artist will quickly purchase a painting that the sports fanatic close by is selling, having no idea what is its true value. In turn, the sports fanatic will eagerly buy a pack of baseball cards the artist is selling for next to nothing, knowing that the cards are priceless.

Sure, that painting had a few chips around the frame, and those cards had become a bit worn over time. But the flaws did not distract from their real value. While these things might have been just this side of being thrown away by their owners, someone saw their true worth and saved them. They were valuable and they were redeemed.

We may see ourselves as worthless, but we are made in God’s image and are of inestimable value. While sin had separated us, the God who formed the universe and created us sent his only Son to restore our relationship with him. In Ephesians 2:4–5, Paul described God’s redemptive work. He wrote, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” God loved us so much that while we were still dead in our sins, while we were in the midst of our brokenness, he gave his Son to pay for our sin and to redeem us forever. However, there was no bargain here; an inestimable price was paid to save us from destruction. The price God paid for our redemption was the death of his Son, Jesus; it was the only price that would do!

 

Prayer

 

Gracious God, thank you for your extravagant love for us. Even when we were dead in our sins, you paid a great price to give us life in Jesus. Please help us to always remember the riches of your mercy in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Amen.

 

2024 Lenten Journey

Adrian Brown

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