is for Exposed.

But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” -Ephesians 5:13-14

ACTIVITY: Write a Secret Message. Squeeze lemon juice into a bowl and add a few drops of water. Using a cotton swab to write on white paper using the “lemon ink.” Allow to dry. When ready to expose the hidden message, heat the paper up by holding it close to a light bulb.

Have you ever “cleaned” your room by throwing everything in the closet? Or maybe you shoved your clothes and toys under your bed? Perhaps you have also had the uncomfortable conversation with your parents when you have to explain the mess in your closet after your parents discovered your cleaning method.

When you are caught trying to hide something, or when others see the true, weak side of us it is called being exposed. Being exposed means that we have no where to hide our dirtiness, and nothing to hide behind.

When Jesus came to earth He exposed our sins and our sinfulness. In His perfect righteousness He shows what living a perfect life looks like. He exposes our lack of love for our neighbor when He shows what it looks like to love even the sinful foreign woman at the well (Jn 4). He highlights our unwillingness to love our enemy as He prays for those who crucify Him (Lk 23:34). And He puts our prayer life to shame as He shows his commitment to talking with His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt 26:36).

Having your sins exposed feels rotten. We think, “Why can’t I be better?” or “What will it take for me to have nothing to hide?”

It takes Jesus.

Jesus made Himself weak by becoming a human child. He made Himself weak so that He could live with us. Luke 2:7 tells us that the God-become-baby was wrapped in swaddling cloths. Swaddling cloth is like a blanket that wraps a baby up to protect him from the cold. All powerful God of the universe lowered Himself to where He had to be protected by a blanket. Jesus exposed (had nothing to hide behind) Himself for us. And that is not the only time Jesus was made weak for us. At the cross his clothes were taken from Him and He was made so weak that He died. Jesus became weak for you.

On the third day of Jesus’ death He showed His great power. He left the grave cloth behind as He rose from the dead. No longer needing protection, He was the all-powerful victor over death. Our God came as a weak child, to overcome our weakness.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for Jesus, who gave Himself over to death, for our sake. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.