I was thinking about the Lord this morning and thanking Him for something my mind will never fully grasp.
He was willing to leave Heaven.
Perfect glory. Perfect fellowship. Perfect peace. A realm untouched by sin, pain, betrayal, or decay. Jesus did not have to leave Heaven—He chose to. And He didn’t come to be admired. He came to be misunderstood. He didn’t come to be celebrated. He came to be mocked, rejected, tortured, and crucified.
“Though He was in the form of God, He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant… He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6–8)
When I sit with that truth, it stops me in my tracks. I realize that every honest evaluation of my life happens in the shadow of His sacrifice. The cross casts a long, holy shadow—one that exposes my motives without condemning me, and invites surrender without shaming me. When I stand there, all comparisons disappear. There is only grace, humility, and gratitude.
Jesus gave up everything. Not symbolically. Not partially. Not conditionally. He gave up the greatest imaginable to endure the lowest imaginable—and He did it out of love.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
I’ve sacrificed things for the Lord. I know that. Others might even say I’m unselfish. But deep down, I still know there are places in my heart where selfishness lingers.
But the truth is this: no one will ever be more loving, more giving, or more sacrificial than Jesus. Ever.
So when I examine my own heart today, no matter what I’ve been able to do for the Lord, it feels so small compared to what Jesus has done for me.
When we sacrifice for others out of our love for the Lord, it can feel like loss. But in reality, God is transforming us.
“The world is passing away… but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17)
Jesus gave up everything for me.
The least I can do is continue learning how to give my life back to Him—piece by piece—not out of obligation, but out of love.
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for leaving Heaven for me. Teach me to live with open hands and a surrendered heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
