“But not for God.” Through his Son Jesus, God demonstrates what it is like to enter God's kingdom. Jesus lays down his life at God's direction and for God's purpose. And God in turn raises Jesus to new life for his affirmation. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate heroic act in God's plan of salvation. And yet, in complete humility – in the vein of making himself last – Jesus downplays his own goodness and directs his followers to focus instead on God.
Oh Lord, you know it's hard to be humble! But here on Thanksgiving Sunday, the Holy Spirit gives us an opportunity to take a small step in that direction. In giving thanks to God, we can release some of our sense of entitlement. In giving thanks to God, we can recognize all those everyday blessings we take for granted. In giving thanks to God, we can proclaim his love for us. And in giving thanks to God, we can pledge our trust in his plan for us, and our gratitude that we are made into citizens of his kingdom.
Gracious God, we thank you for sending your Son Jesus to show us your goodness, and enable us to enter your kingdom. Keep us open to your purposes, and help us to renounce those things that trap us in the kingdom of me, in Jesus' name, amen...