Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 24, 2024

Date:   Passion Sunday

Scripture Text:  Philippians 2:6-11

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The first reading for today is taken from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians and speaks of Jesus’ humble embrace of His life and being among us. Sent by the Father to redeem us and to reconcile us with the Father, Jesus surrendered to the will of the Father, humbling himself, and obediently accepting death on a cross for the sins of all though He himself was sinless. Paul speaks of Jesus’ loving surrender of self and of the Father’s exalting Jesus above all others because of His sacrifice for the glory of the Father.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

On this day, do I truly embrace with all my being the sacrifice that Jesus made for me? Am I willing to surrender myself to Christ?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only-begotten and beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us, to take on our human nature and from among us to redeem us and reconcile us to You. Through His teachings and His example, He opened anew for us an understanding of your great love and of the covenant that has existed always, the covenant of love: love You with all our being and love one another as well as ourselves. As the new Adam, He showed us the way; indeed, He is “the Way and the Truth and the Life.” Send your Spirit to tenderize our hearts and to open our minds to your great love that desired our salvation and to His great love that manifested itself upon the cross dying for our sins though He himself is sinless. Grant that we may be moved to surrender to the love that is the source of our being, to You, and to your desire for us. Help us to grow into the daughters and sons You created us to be and the disciples He calls us to be. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.