For the next two weeks, I am taking a break from going through the Acts of the Apostles in order to reflect briefly on Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.
“…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame…” Hebrews 12:2a.
Jesus had set his eyes as a laser toward Jerusalem, and the cross that He knew that He must endure. He knew full well the gruesomeness and brutality of Roman execution, and knew that it was through this horrible “valley of pain” that He was to travel. He also knew that His disciples, who followed Him through this experience, would, willingly, follow His example in the years to come.
The worst that Jesus must endure was not just the horrible tortures inflicted on Him by the Romans. Nor was it the “torture” of rejection by His own people, the Jews, for whom He had come to usher in the good news of God’s kingdom. No, the worst that Jesus was to endure was absolute separation from His Father, with whom He enjoyed a constant, intimate relationship. He had never experienced the rejection of His Father, but in those hours on the cross, He had to endure what must have such horrible separation as His Father turned away from Him. For He "who knew no sin" was "made to be sin on our behalf." 2Cor. 5:21, NAS. For it was in those moments that the scorn and darkness of the sin of all humanity came upon Jesus, and pressed down on Him, as He hung there – naked, broken, and vulnerable.
As I write these words, tears role down my cheeks at the amazing sacrifice of the One – the Only One – who did not deserve this treatment. I am the one who deserved it! And yet, He took it for me, for you, and for all humanity for all time. As the writer of Hebrews says, let’s “fix our eyes on Jesus.” Please take time to look at and reflect on the incredible sacrifice that He made. And, also, take some time to reflect on the example that He gave us. He “endured the cross, scorning its shame” not only to provide the perfect sacrifice, but, also, to lead the way, by example, of how we are to live sacrificially for His kingdom’s sake. He is our leader and our example! Fix our eyes on Jesus!
Questions to consider: How does Jesus’ sacrifice affect and impact your life? How are you following, or are going to follow, His example? How is Jesus calling you to live?
Prayer: Father, I am humbled at the sacrifice that You made in order to rescue me and to rescue all of humanity. Please give me insight to know how I should now live in response to that sacrifice. Please give me the courage necessary to live sacrificially for You in being part of Your rescue mission. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment