Lent Reflection | Day 16

Dave Parsons

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Galatians 2:19-21

by Dave Parsons

At the very center of who I am as a follower of Jesus is the fact that he died a sacrificial death in order that my sins—past, present and future are forgiven. This passage reminds me that “I have been crucified with Christ.” Sometimes it's difficult to comprehend why anyone would sacrifice themselves so that I might be free from any religious law and forgiven for my sins. Not only that, but verse 20 teaches that I was with Christ on the cross, “crucified with Christ.” 

In the movie ‘Saving Private Ryan,’ a very young PFC Ryan was extracted from the battlefield at the cost of life for some who were assigned to that mission, including the leader of that mission, Captain John H. Miller. At the end of the movie, Ryan is seen as a much older man in the final chapter of his life on a visit to the grave of Captain Miller. Seeing the small cross that marks that grave, he  remembers the words of a dying Captain Miller telling him “earn this.” Ryan then says, to no one in particular, but within hearing of his loving family “I hope I earned it.”

That scene and those words have hounded and haunted me in every corner of my life.  I completely understand Captain Miller’s “earn this” admonition to Ryan. He was dying and wanted his death to mean something and wanted Ryan to live a life that honored his sacrifice. 

As Jesus hung dying on the cross, with the full knowledge of the depth and meaning of his coming death he did not charge us with ‘earning’ the gift of his sacrifice. He freely gave himself up for us, so that we might receive the gift of a life free from the bonds of sin. He simply asks us: “follow me.”

As I enter my final chapter, looking up in awe and wonder at the incredible significance of the empty cross of Christ I pray that the life I have lived will be deemed worthy of the free gift that that cross represents.