I Don't Get It...

Your word says that while "we were yet sinners" - smack in the middle of intentionally choosing to do what we know to be wrong and enjoying every minute of it.  That is when you chose to die.   That is when you chose to take that beating.  That is when you allowed them to scourge you and rip your flesh right off of your back.  That is what was on your mind when you prayed in the garden, "...not My will by Thine be done.".  That is why you hung on the cross.  That is why you let them put a crown made up of a vine that had long, sharp thorns that dug into your head and caused you to bleed from your head all the way down.  That is the time when you allowed them to drive those rusty old nails through your hands and through your feet.  That is when you chose to be silent as they accused you. That is when you let them spit in your face.  That is when you found the strength to carry that heavy cross, when you knew the excruciating pain that would be required to hang on it.  That is when you refused to call the legions of angels to rescue you.   

And THAT is when you said, "Father, forgive them........they don't know...."

Your love, Jesus.........I really don't get it.

But, thank-you.

  

Why Did You Come, Jesus?

It's a logical question, especially after having seen firsthand the PLACE He chose to call His earthly home.  I never knew there were that many shades of khaki!  It's a beautiful place, full of beautiful people.  And yet I wonder, Jesus, why exactly did you come?  Why did you leave all "that" to come to us in the middle of "this"?

I often hear speakers give reasons for which they believe Jesus came to earth.  Some offer their suggestion as that - suggestion.  Others state their suggestion with conviction and it serves as a foundation for all that they teach.  And I find myself wondering "when did Jesus say that?"   As I do with everything, I go to His Word and check for myself.  After all, it's the responsible thing to do.  I decided that as my personal daily reading has reached the time to step back into the New Testament, I would be extra attentive to see exactly what HE said and what HE felt was important enough to put in His word as it pertains to HIS reason for coming to earth.  I guess I'm simple enough to believe that if there was any other important reason why Jesus came, He'd have said it while He was here - because throughout the Gospels, He did leave a pretty extensive list of His reasons for having come.  If it's ON the list, I will try my best to be like it.  If it's NOT on the list, I'm not interested in trying to force an interpretation to make it "fit" things that will serve me well.  I don't see the need or have the right to add to or imply my own agenda into His words......instead, I will live every day doing my best to show Him my gratitude. 

The Gospel according to Matthew 

• 3:11 - to baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire
• 4:19-22 - to teach His disciples how to be "fishers of men"
• 5:17 - not to do away with the law or the prophets but to fulfill them
• 9:13 - to call sinners to right standing with God
• 10:34 - not to bring peace, but a sword
• 18:11 - to save that which was lost
• 20:27-28 - not to be waited on, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many

As I proceed through the Gospels and the New Testament, I will choose to keep my eyes wide open for additional reasons that He discloses, but as for right now - this list itself is enough to blow me away.  That the Creator of all that we see, the God of this universe and all that is in it....the ONE to whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess - that HE came for such a simple list above.  WOW.  'Nuff said. 

How many kings throughout history would come like this?  Most kings expect to be served, most kings expect to be catered to, waited on, picked up after, honored everywhere they go, bowed to, and worshipped as they sit on their respective thrones.  Not this one - He came to empower us.  He came to teach us to be like Him so that we could share the same with others.  He came to fulfill everything that had been previously required of man.  He came to give us a way to return to right standing with God.  He came to divide the religious from those of simple faith.  He came to find the lost and save each one.  He came not to be waited on hand and foot, but to serve and to give His life for us all.

What a Savior.

I desire nothing but to be like HIM.

You amaze me, Jesus.  Thank-you.  I'll serve You forever.