Photo: Bigstock #2366049/Vitally Pakhnyushchyy
Whoever said life is easy
Wasn’t talking about the life of a committed Christian.
There are many ways we can describe the Christian life.
Easy isn’t one of them.
Joyful, settled, forgiven.
It is also a lifestyle
Of learning to forgive others in the way we have been forgiven.
Learning to love in the way Christ loved us.
Showing mercy to those who need GOD’s mercy.
Of course, when Christ started talking about people picking up crosses and
Following Him…
That was when the crowds lessened.
After Jesus started talking that way, the crowds were smaller.
No one wants to hear that the cross is what they need to carry.
They liked the healing, the miraculous expanding of loaves and fish
So everyone was able to be fed.
They liked having their lives made easier. stop
They didn’t like the sound of death and crosses.
Or the sound of denying themselves.
Neither do we!
Fortunately, Jesus didn’t take the easy way.
Or the comfortable way.
He left heavens comfort and glory.
He came to earth in a human body with all its limitations.
He submitted to the Father. It meant He would have to die a miserable death, be separated from His Father for the first time in eternity. Share on XHe submitted to the Father and the plan of redemption.
It meant He would have to die a miserable death,
Be separated from His Father for the first time in eternity.
It was worse than agonizing.
But He did it for our sake.
Because we were in dire straits.
We were desperate!
There was no other way for us to be righteous apart from
His righteousness.
So He died and paid the penalty for our sin.
He rose and won the victory over death and evil.
And provided access for us
To a holy GOD.
Cheap? Not for Jesus!
Easy? NO, not at all.
Value? Priceless!
Cheap? Not for Jesus! Easy? NO! Value? Priceless! Share on XAnd he said to all, “If anyone would come after me,
let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever would save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
Luke 9:22-23
Your meditation reminds me of Christ’s precious invitation in Matthew 11 — Come to me all who are weary —
Thanks for the uplifting words!
what a great pairing barbara. come to me all who are weary, take my yoke upon you…the cross. it is one of the many backward things in the christian life that make no sense when we first hear them! if you are weary, take up the cross…my yoke is easy, my burden is light.
the way to the kingdom is to deny yourself, and you will have plenty in GOD’s kingdom. (no, it isn’t a veiled promise to have a lot of money!) blessings as you face a new week:)
Beautiful post, Martha. It’s important to remember that Jesus’ decisions were all guided by love, but few (if any) of them were easy. They were, however, intentional. And that is what leaves me in awe. Knowing He chose to take on human flesh. He chose to die on a cross—probably one of the most painful ways to die. He was raised up. He chose to make a way for us to know Him and know His Father. I’m so undeserving, but entirely grateful.
absolutely Jeanne! to think He knew exactly what He was getting into, but did it anyway…makes what He did for our salvation all the more amazing and stunning!
His blood came with a precious price–hard for Christ–easy for us. Amen, Martha.
so glad you came by today jessica:) thanks!
Priceless indeed!
sometimes we get jaded don’t we?
i’m glad you stopped by stacy. it was nice to meet you today
Praise the Lord for His costly mercy to us! Thanks for pointing me there!