Do WE Understand Our Redemption?
Do We Understand Our Redemption?
Even first-responders understand the risks of their jobs. I have always wondered what motivates people like fire fighters, the police, and the soldiers, to sign up for their professions. There will be many motives when you speak to each. Some of you are serving or have served in these capacities. Regardless of all the reasons we may discover, one thing is there. There is always a reward to be received whether it is paycheck or sense of accomplishment.
When it comes to our Savior, Jesus Christ, what was in it for Him? We are encouraged, thus, “2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2. It says, for the “joy”. Whose joy really? The joy is ours. We were set before Him. It was all for us. Jesus being God, does not need anything to be complete. He does not lack joy nor is He craving for joy.
Why did Jesus go to the cross knowing ahead of time what was to befall him? Listen to Jesus tell his disciples:
“17 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” Matthew 20:17-19.
Who in their right mind, knowing he will be betrayed, allow himself to be betrayed; condemned to die, mocked, scourged, and crucified? I know I would not do it knowingly especially ahead of time. I will fight to stop it from happening. We can never understand completely at least on this side, the love of Christ that redeemed the whole world. We pray to understand.
The disciples then, before receiving the promised Holy Spirit, did not understand. They did afterwards. See Acts 2 and 3. We on this side of receiving the Holy Spirit do understand but have not fully comprehended the redemption of God. If we did, we would be so different and surrendered to the will of our Father, just as Jesus did.
There is no other reality or existence except in the redemption of God of all humans in the world. Jesus reconciled all creation to God on the Cross. It is for all whether they comprehend, accept or experience it.
Is there something else you are living for or looking for? Are you looking for God your Maker? Those who “seek” Him shall find Him.
Isn’t this what most of us are seeking today? Promotion? Read the reaction of the disciples:
“20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”[d] They said to Him, “We are able.”
23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;[e] but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20: 20-27.
Yes, it is PMAP season and we all want promotion and good rating. Have we served? Are we willing to serve in this near year? How can you serve your supervisor and make his or her work easier? I know one area. I can pray for my supervisor for wisdom and for salvation. What about you? “28 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” He completely paid for my sins forever.
Can we be ransom for our co-workers, and others in prayer and in various actions motivated by love for them and not for what we can get? Tell someone about God’s redemption – Jesus Christ, the Gospel. There is nothing better.
Thank you Jesus for dying for me and making it permanent to be reconciled to God our Father. Help me to comprehend it all and to live in worship and in surrender to you. Empower me to live a “ransom” radical life for your glory. Amen.
Even first-responders understand the risks of their jobs. I have always wondered what motivates people like fire fighters, the police, and the soldiers, to sign up for their professions. There will be many motives when you speak to each. Some of you are serving or have served in these capacities. Regardless of all the reasons we may discover, one thing is there. There is always a reward to be received whether it is paycheck or sense of accomplishment.
When it comes to our Savior, Jesus Christ, what was in it for Him? We are encouraged, thus, “2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2. It says, for the “joy”. Whose joy really? The joy is ours. We were set before Him. It was all for us. Jesus being God, does not need anything to be complete. He does not lack joy nor is He craving for joy.
Why did Jesus go to the cross knowing ahead of time what was to befall him? Listen to Jesus tell his disciples:
“17 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” Matthew 20:17-19.
Who in their right mind, knowing he will be betrayed, allow himself to be betrayed; condemned to die, mocked, scourged, and crucified? I know I would not do it knowingly especially ahead of time. I will fight to stop it from happening. We can never understand completely at least on this side, the love of Christ that redeemed the whole world. We pray to understand.
The disciples then, before receiving the promised Holy Spirit, did not understand. They did afterwards. See Acts 2 and 3. We on this side of receiving the Holy Spirit do understand but have not fully comprehended the redemption of God. If we did, we would be so different and surrendered to the will of our Father, just as Jesus did.
There is no other reality or existence except in the redemption of God of all humans in the world. Jesus reconciled all creation to God on the Cross. It is for all whether they comprehend, accept or experience it.
Is there something else you are living for or looking for? Are you looking for God your Maker? Those who “seek” Him shall find Him.
Isn’t this what most of us are seeking today? Promotion? Read the reaction of the disciples:
“20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”[d] They said to Him, “We are able.”
23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;[e] but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20: 20-27.
Yes, it is PMAP season and we all want promotion and good rating. Have we served? Are we willing to serve in this near year? How can you serve your supervisor and make his or her work easier? I know one area. I can pray for my supervisor for wisdom and for salvation. What about you? “28 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” He completely paid for my sins forever.
Can we be ransom for our co-workers, and others in prayer and in various actions motivated by love for them and not for what we can get? Tell someone about God’s redemption – Jesus Christ, the Gospel. There is nothing better.
Thank you Jesus for dying for me and making it permanent to be reconciled to God our Father. Help me to comprehend it all and to live in worship and in surrender to you. Empower me to live a “ransom” radical life for your glory. Amen.
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