Preparing Our Hearts for Easter: Day 18

An article by Frank    1 Comment

In the lead up to Easter we will be putting up a new lent devotion each week day. These devotions will also be available in the discussions section of our Facebook page and will be played on New Zealand’s Rhema.

In his letters and papers that he wrote in prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the greatest theologians of last century, put forward an outline for a book. In the outline for the second chapter he talked of the experience of transcendence, moving beyond ourselves.

He talked about this in relation to encountering Jesus and the resulting complete orientation of our humanity towards the person of Jesus as the one whose only concern is for others.

Bonhoeffer saw this as the greatest freedom, the freedom from self.

Ponder it for a second. Ponder what it would be like to stop worrying about our own desires, wants and needs. Bonhoeffer saw exactly this in our faith, where our faith is a participation in the incarnation, the cross and the resurrection of Jesus. Death and new life, not only for ourselves but also for others.

This idea is reflected in Romans 6:4

“Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

This is freedom – not the ability to choose whatever we want or do whatever we want, but the life that takes us beyond ourselves. Bonhoeffer saw this freedom having its seat in concern for others. He saw that as the most complete outworking of the person of Jesus.

Freedom is found when we stop looking at ourselves and we start serving others simply because we are allowing ourselves to more reflect the person of Jesus, his concerns, his desires, his heart. It’s about letting go, trusting and having faith – often easier said than done.

Pray

Jesus, give us freedom. Shape us into your image. Help us to see beyond ourselves and adopt your concern for others.

Amen