The Cost of the Race
Lent on the Run — Day 39
When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
— John 19:30
Jesus is hanging on the cross. His time is near, and what does he ask for?
A drink.
After receiving a wine-soaked sponge, Jesus declares, “It is finished.” Then, the Gospel writer tells us, he “gave up his spirit.”
Do we ever consider the true cost of the race? The depth of sacrifice that came before us? The meaning of the journey and where it ultimately leads?
Good Friday is the day we traditionally hear, experience, and wrestle with the final hours of Christ’s life. In these moments, we encounter the weight of Jesus’ sacrifice. It reminds us of the lasting impact of the ministry he offered to the world.
Many runners understand the weight of sacrifice. We know what it means to give up a night out with friends, knowing a long run awaits us in the morning. We’ve felt the tension of stepping away—often from friends, sometimes from family—to train for something big. Whether it’s your first marathon, an attempt to qualify for Boston, or any major running milestone, sacrifice is part of the journey.
And yet, the sacrifice we know is but a shadow of the immense weight described in John’s account of Jesus’ final moments. It invites us to reflect more deeply on the meaning of our own paths.
On this Good Friday, we are left in the darkness of death, wrestling with what Christ’s final breath means for our journey. We hope and yearn that the journey wasn’t in vain—that the promises of hope will still ring true. The weight of Christ’s sacrifice draws us into his example of ministry and invites us into a journey that is wholly transformational.
In the silence of this day, may we pause to consider what it means to follow a Savior who gave everything.
Lent Photo-A-Day
For the Whole Series
Don’t forget their will be no devotion on Sunday, keep tuned in for the series to continue on Monday.
