For the majority of the weeks during the church season of Lent, I will share a few thoughts on some of the various approaches Christians might take at this time of the year when we reflect upon the suffering Jesus endured in order to redeem us.  There are many appropriate actions and reactions for a believer as he or she contemplates Jesus’ crucifixion … and thankfully also his resurrection. 

These posts during Lent will form the basis of our Wednesday evening worship discussions.  I pray they provide wonderful food for thought, and blessed encouragement to all of us!

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Dedication.  It’s an important word; an important concept. 

A word commonly used to define dedication is “commitment.”  Perhaps an even better option, especially when referring to our key relationships, might be “devotion.”

There are many things worthy of one’s devotion.  Our spouse.  Our family.  Our homes.  Our friends.  Our jobs.  Our churches.  And certainly our God.

There are many other things less worthy, but which sometimes seem to garner equal or even greater dedication.  A hobby.  Hollywood.  A ball team.  Personal popularity or success.  Possessions.  Social media.

Sadly, sometimes we sinners devote ourselves to downright sinful things – to selfish pursuits of matters clearly denounced by the Lord.

It’s one of life’s great conundrums; those treasures most worthy of our devotion so often receive the least of our focus while the most unworthy pursuits pull in the most!  We tend to be riveted by those items that least deserve it.  We probably even realize this tendency yet make no moves (or only half-hearted ones) to correct it.

The most striking example of this is our dedication to God’s realm.  Or perhaps more accurately, our lack of dedication to the Lord. 

Why is this the case?  Why do we neglect what we recognize to be the most important things?  How do so many unhealthy focuses occur in our hearts and minds, and how do our priorities become so out of whack?  And why does it seem so difficult for us to readjust?

Chalk another one up to our sinful nature.  (Or our sinful flesh.  Or our Old Adam.  Or however you prefer to refer to the sin embedded in us and influencing us so profoundly every second of every day.)  We are continually impacted by this powerful adversary to the Lord, his word and his ways. 

If you doubt this, consider how easily we are dissuaded from anything connected to God.  It’s not uncommon for us to have to aggressively fight against excuses to neglect spiritual activities. (Such as reading the Scriptures, attending worship, praying, or serving the Lord.)  Our sinful natures consistently pull us away from our God, and we are generally inclined to follow their lead!

In short, our dedication to the Lord typically leaves much to be desired.

Thanks be to God that Jesus’ dedication to us never wavers!

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35, 37-39)

The proof of this love?  Look to the atrocities in the judgement hall, the horror at the whipping block, and the agony of the cross!  That was devotion to you and me.  Extreme devotion.  Ultimate devotion.  Complete devotion.  Perfect and saving devotion!

The Lord Jesus knew exactly what awaited him … all the brutality and all the agony … yet he resolutely continued on that torturous path because of his devotion to you and me.

When we consider Jesus’ dedication to us – when we read or hear the passages that describe this dedication and which prove the immensity of it – the Spirit motivates us to rededicate ourselves to our Savior.

The simple reality is that the more we are in God’s Word, the more the Word is in us … and the less sway our sinful nature holds in our lives.  A dedication to God’s Word leads to repeated rededication of our hearts and minds and lives to the Lord. 

Which makes the season of Lent a fine time to dedicate and rededicate our all to our all-giving Savior.

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Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Matthew 6:31-33
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

1 Timothy 4:13
… Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Titus 3:8
This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.