March 29th

March 29th  

Jesus didn’t die on the cross to make us happy, or comfortable, or even healthy. He didn’t die so that we could have the car we want or so that everyone would like us or so that everything in life would go smoothly or even so that we could be physically healthy. No, Jesus died to make us righteous and holy. He died to save us from sin, not sickness or poverty or inconvenience. He didn’t die to give us the life we want, He died to give us abundant, full life that only HE can provide.

But have we cashed in on this great gift? Have we really immersed ourselves in full surrender to the righteousness and holiness of Christ? Or have we just skimmed the surface, desiring to live our lives with a foot in both worlds so to speak?

He didn’t die so that we may have a better life here on earth, He died so that we will have a better life -in Heaven someday, -for the rest of eternity. Yes, we will have a better life here on earth if we are surrendered to Him, but we have to keep it all in perspective, and we will also “suffer”. Sometimes Christians act like Jesus made His sacrifice so that we can have the best of both worlds. It’s the opposite of that. He made His sacrifice so that we can live in this world but not be of this world. Everything He preached was to prepare us to live the opposite way.

He died to save us and make us holy so we can be with Him in Heaven, but beyond forgiveness and salvation, Jesus offers us here on earth: fullness of life, complete joy, His peace, victory, fellowship with Him, love, all of the fruit of the Spirit, communion with Him in a deeper way than we ever imagined possible and so much more. But what do we have to do to experience those things? We have to surrender, take up our cross daily, die to ourselves, let go of our will and desires, offer ourselves completely to Him. For sure there is so much more for us to experience, but are we willing to reach for it?

John 12:24-26 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Luke 9:23-24 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Too often we see these as negative things: denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, sacrificing, surrendering, giving up our will for His. We see them as losses. But what if these are actually doors of opportunity that bring us into closer connection and fellowship with the Lord within which we find more fulfillment, joy and peace than we could ever imagine, and way more than we could ever attain by doing our own things?

Do you want what is on the other side of those doors? Are you ready to open those doors?

Jesus, thank you for dying for me. Forgive me for sometimes unconsciously thinking that your sacrifice gave me the right to expect worldly pleasures. I know you want what is best for me here on earth and that it is ok to be happy but help me to reach for you so that I can find real joy that is not tied to the “things” of this world. Help me to remain grateful even during tough times. Help me to keep praising you despite my circumstances. Thank you for sacrificing for ME!

Do we skew His death on the cross, to shape the experience to fit our desires or do we cherish the reality of it?