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April 7, 2009
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
He Died for Me!, by Phil Ware
This week, more than any other week of the year, the world is tuned to
remember the last few days of Jesus' life. Jesus was falsely accused,
illegally tried, brazenly beaten, severely scourged, brazenly spat
upon, blatantly taunted, viciously ridiculed, openly humiliated,
purposely made a public spectacle, and brutally crucified before a
jeering mob. He endured all of this even though he could have prevented
it, for you and me! The Son of God submitted to the Father's will and
offered himself as a sacrifice for sins. The early followers of Jesus
said it clearly and forcefully:
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures ... (1
Corinthians 15:4 TNIV).
Christ died for our sins! Let's make this more personal: Jesus died for
your sins. The Son of God died for my sins.
How should we feel about such a gift?
What should our response be to such a great sacrifice?
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Buddy was 19 years old when he was taken as a prisoner of war. During
the 3 1/2 years of his imprisonment, he and his friends worked as slave
labor, ate starvation rations, were tortured in unspeakable ways,
endured daily abuse, and faced all sorts of diseases. Almost two-thirds
of them died. I can't imagine surviving such horrors for such a long
period of time at such a young age. The cost that Buddy and his friends
paid is enormous.
As I read through Buddy's now nearly 70-year-old copy of the New
Testament, I realized that what I was touching was precious. This Book
and these words sustained him during indescribably awful times. I also
read the notes Buddy had written about those who endured these horrors
with him -- some of whom paid the ultimate price and never returned
home to their families and friends. As I held this small Bible in my
hands, I was moved in ways I can't verbalize. As I read the Lord's
Prayer out of that Bible at Buddy's memorial service, I was barely able
to hold myself together.
Several days prior to Buddy's funeral, I visited with his family. Their
words were filled with memory and admiration. As they told stories of
his life, they made it clear that they wanted the cost paid by Buddy
and his band of brothers to be remembered, respected, honored and
appreciated. They also wanted everyone to know how proud they were of
the way Buddy had celebrated life! They felt that Buddy's life and
sacrifice were not only awe-inspiring, but also life-inspiring! They
didn't want us to be sad, but thankful. They didn't want us to feel
guilty, but grateful.
Nothing is comparable to Jesus' sacrifice and his unparalleled gift of
mercy and grace. Yet the sacrifice of Buddy and his band of brothers
helps me understand a little better what my response should be to such
a great sacrifice. While I am deeply saddened that my sins made such a
costly sacrifice necessary, my primary focus is not on the sadness of
his death, but his love for us in giving such an extravagant and
life-transforming gift. (Romans 5:6-11; Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 2:1-10;
Colossians 1:20-22)
God wants us to remember, appreciate, and honor his Son's sacrifice.
Yet rather than wanting us to live sullen lives of guilt and muted
passion, the Father calls us to live bold and passionate lives of
vibrant celebration. Look at the book of Acts and notice the lives of
those who were first touched by Jesus' death and resurrection: they
lived passionate, vibrant lives of appreciation and hope. And when we
look in the mirror, who are we to see? Aren't we are the recipients of
God's extravagant love? How can we not respond with passion and
celebration.
So as we journey through this week, let's take time to remember Jesus'
sacrifice with humility, reverence, and deep appreciation. But as we
do, let's also celebrate with confidence and joy, know that we are
loved and called to live bold and vibrant lives that bring glory to our
Lord who sacrificed so much to make us his own!
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in
Christ. For he chose us in him ...
... to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given
us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of
God's grace that he lavished on us ...
... in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ,
might be for the praise of his glory ...
.. to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 2:3-14)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
When you remember that Jesus died for you -- how do you feel?
What should be my response?
Is it easier for you to feel ...
... guilty?
... sad?
... joyous?
... victorious?
Why?
Should we feel each of these different emotions when we remember Jesus'
death for us?
Do you think it is significant that the early church celebrated the
Lord's Supper together on the first day of the week, the day of Jesus'
resurrection, and not the day of his trial, persecution, and
crucifixion (Acts 20:7)?
Jesus told his followers to take the Lord's Supper "in remembrance of
me." The apostle Paul also adds, "For whenever you eat this bread and
drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1
Corinthians 11:24-26).
How does this emphasis on anticipating the return of Jesus as we
remember His death change the we way we view the Lord's Supper and
the death of Jesus?
If our "life-song" is to bring God glory (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14), then
how do we move from sadness to joyously living for the "praise of God's
glorious grace"? (Ephesians 2:10)
---------
(c) 2009 Phil Ware <phil@heartlight.org>. All rights reserved.
RELATED LINKS:
* He Died Alone!
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/1219-wjd.html
* At Just the Right Time!
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20010120
* Father, Forgive Them!
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200807/20080707_forgivethem.html
* Southern Hills Church of Christ
http://www.southernhillschurch.org
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200904/20090407_hediedforme.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
THE WAY OF THE HEART: DESERT SPIRITUALITY AND CONTEMPORARY MINISTRY, by Henri Nouwen
The modern classic that interweaves the solitude, silence, and prayer
of the fourth and fifth century Egyptian Desert Fathers and Mothers
with our contemporary search for an authentic spirituality.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?253
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
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