In Genesis 1 we are told that God set humans apart from all other creatures. We were created in the image of God and thus we are God’s children. We are, in other words, ‘sacred’. God calls us to act in accordance with our sacredness, to be holy, that is, to consecrate ourselves. When something is sacred you can’t just do whatever you want with it. Likewise, we are set apart for a special purpose. God wants everyone to know how sacred they are. He wants them to know their supreme worth; how much they are loved and valued by him. The ultimate demonstration of our infinite sacred worth is seen in the sacrifice of Christ. God so loved us that he came to us in Jesus to suffer and die on a cross. Never has one so holy ever been treated with such disdain and cruelty. “His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being…He was despised and rejected… like one from whom people hide their faces” (Isaiah 53). But he did this to purchase back what was of most value to him: you. As you reflect on the sacrifice of Christ this Good Friday recognise in it your infinite sacred value. But also see in the cross the sacredness of all people, even those you might not like. Treat yourself as sacred and treat others as sacred too, no matter who they are. In this way you, like Christ, will be a living demonstration of God’s love for people. May all people see in you their own sacredness. May they know that God loves them.
Pray for those who don’t yet know God’s love to come to know him.
Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12
