Give up my life and surrender to God.
There is no event define the Christian life than the crucifixion and resurrection. Paul told the Philippian church that Jesus, “gave up his divine privilege, took the position of a slave, humbled himself, and died a criminal’s death on the cross.” Philippians 2:6-8.
So, it makes sense that Jesus said to us, “if you want to follow me your path will take you through a cross and a tomb.” He told his disciples that “a servant is not greater than the master,” meaning that we should not think that our lives will be free of the kind of struggle that Jesus experienced.
Today, in Holy Week, Jesus is still in the tomb. Still dead. But tomorrow is the glorious day of resurrection. Today we think about cost. Tomorrow we think about victory. Today we think about what our blundering and sin cost our Lord. Tomorrow, knowing his victory, we say, “Sign me up; I want to go with you through death to victory.”
Today we weep. Tomorrow we shout with joy.
“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” Matthew 16:24,25.
“This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.” 2 Timothy 2:12-13.
Question: On Tuesday we thought about ingratitude, and on Thursday we thought about self-sufficiency. How does the Crucifixion and Resurrection affect you and the way you choose to live?
Activity: Over lunch or dinner talk about Jesus’ resurrection and what you think it means for your family.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, we give thanks to you for what you did. When we think about it, the suffering, the pain, the ridicule, the shame, we are driven to our knees and saddened about the disregard we show in how we live for the magnitude of your love. We ask that you help us begin every day in 2020 thinking about your eyes of love looking back at us. Amen.