The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9

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In this focus verse, the apostle Paul reveals the heart of the gospel. Jesus Christ had everything: glory, power, and eternal riches. He is also the Creator. Yet He chose to come into our broken world. He didn’t lose His riches by accident. He laid them down intentionally and according to His Father's will.

Seven hundred years before our Saviour was born, the prophet Isaiah prophesied about our Messiah, the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53). It was the Lord's will to take on all our sins; past, present and future; for all time. Once and for all.

He became “poor” in suffering, rejection, and sacrifice so that we could receive true riches: forgiveness and eternal life. This is grace! Undeserved, unearned and freely given.

Today, the question for us is: if our Lord Jesus Christ gave everything for us, how do we respond? Not out of guilt, but out of gratitude. We are called to live and love generously and give freely, because we have received so much. The apostle Paul urged the Corinthians and all future believers to live, love, and serve as Jesus did.

Let’s celebrate and remember that we are spiritually rich, not because of what we’ve done, but because of what Christ has done for us.

Reflection on 2 Corinthians 8: 8-15 by Hanne