Worship Artist | Pastor | Speaker
JESUS IS ALIVE!
Love compelled Jesus to the cross. Love rose Jesus from the dead. Love leads Jesus to intercede for us right now. On this Easter Sunday, the Savior of the World invites you in loving relationship with Him.
To give thanks to Jesus for His love, enjoy this song by Anthony Evans:
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13
Love is best defined through sacrifice. When we witness a couple exchange vows on their wedding day, seasoned married couples know full well that this moment is a promise of commitment and love. These vows are tested by the challenges and opportunities that life presents. It’s the sacrifices by each spouse from day to day that leads to the success of a marriage. While words and verbal declarations are important, the fulfillment of those words through action carries even greater weight.
Jesus personified love through His sacrifice on the Cross. This sacrificial act of love was not under compulsion, but under obedience to the Father. Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane:
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” – Luke 22:42
This Scripture passage demonstrates that Jesus preferred another route to save the world from sin and eternal damnation. This “cup” was a hefty price to pay. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary was a risky proposition. Jesus committed to die on a cross for a people that may ultimately reject Him. Yet, the promise of each member of humanity to become the righteousness of God (in right standing with the Father) was worth the risk. The reward was a people reconciled back to God.
On this Good Friday, we are reminded of the great sacrifice of the Father. He surrendered His one and only begotten Son for the sins of the world. This day, we remember the sacrifice of Jesus, who surrendered to the brutality leading to and at the cross. Jesus took the ultimate risk for the reward of relationship with you.
I know Whitney Houston was sang of “The Greatest Love of All”. No greater love was personified than Jesus laying down His life for His friends.
On this Good Friday, we are reminded that death died so that we may have life and life more abundantly.
What will you respond to the greatest love of all?
“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:27
Whenever I receive an invitation to a wedding, I’m reminded of how much thought went into choosing the guest list. Each invitation comes at a cost: the reception venue, food, entertainment and the price of hosting family and friends. For a couple to think of me as a worthy guest to their most special day is an honor. While I enjoy the festivities, I’m acutely aware that someone paid for my plate!
Like a wedding guest list, Jesus invites us in relationship. But, this is no ordinary relationship. Jesus (self-described most as the Son of Man) invites our humanity to connect with His divinity. While the invitation is extended, He doesn’t demand your acceptance. His desire is that you will come to embrace the call to follow Him. But, He offers a disclaimer. If you want to be a true Christ-follower, it will require a bearing of your own cross.
In essence, Jesus invites us into cross training! If we are going to give our lives over to Christ, there’s a price. There’s a cost. And anytime a cost is involved, you can expect a thinning out of the crowds. Everyone is not ready or willing to pay the price of following Christ. But, the Word encourages us to see the great benefits of doing just that!
While salvation is open to everyone who will come in faith, discipleship is another thing altogether; it’s cross training! It’s a death to self. It’s identifying with the shame and pain of our Suffering Christ on the cross. It’s counting the cost of aligning your will to His. When we count the cost of following Christ, we also can expect to count the blessings of serving Him.
Today’s Prayer
Lord, words cannot begin to describe the joy of being in relationship with You! Grant me the courage and boldness to take up my own cross to follow You. And when I am weak and weary, remind me that You give strength in my weakness to do the very thing You’ve called me to do. In Your Name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24
When Jesus bore our sins on the cross, it was and remains the greatest sacrifice. Jesus took on the curse, the guilt, and the punishment of our sin. Think about this. Here an innocent, blameless man voluntarily takes on the role of guilt-bearer. While many identify Jesus as Savior and Lord, the title of guilt-bearer took on a role new meaning from the perspective of the cross.
What guilt and shame are you carrying? Oftentimes, our spiritual progress is hindered when the chains of condemnation arrest us. Even when appearing to be free, regrets and missteps may bind us. You may have raised the question, “How could a perfect God forgive me with my imperfections?” God answered this question through His only begotten Son, Jesus, accepting the call of surrender. As Christ surrendered His self for us, we are called to surrender our will for His. He is not asking us to do something that He was unwilling to do. He modeled surrender before the cross, at the cross and after the cross.
Today, you may be at a crossroads. As we reflect on the life of Jesus this Holy Week, you may find it challenging to surrender and submit because of the cost. Don’t fear. When we surrender to God’s will, there will always be a price. But the price of surrender pales in comparison to the joy of relationship with Jesus. Let’s not forsake the call of surrender – the blessings far outweigh the cost.
Today’s Prayer:
Lord, thank you for Your sacrifice on the Cross. As you’ve modeled surrender on my behalf, I make a commitment to you today to surrender my will to Yours. Grant me the courage to follow You everyday. As I reflect on Your sacrifice, may I never the price you paid. Thank you for giving your life for mine. In Jesus Name. Amen.