In generations past, folks were willing to adapt their lifestyle to fit their income. Families were willing to sacrifice financial gain for the sake of their children and grandchildren. Parents were willing to teach their children the Word of God. Relationships and time spent with friends and family were treasured.
The large majority of our nation was willing to make Sunday a holy day, a day set apart to worship Jehovah God. Establishments chose to forego Sunday’s profit and closed their businesses. Churches were full and America was a nation united under God.
Americans, Congressional Representatives, and Judges would not have believed a time would arrive when they would be voting to kill babies and allow men to wed men and women to marry women. There was no conversation about death panels or shredding our Constitution. Because our people, our courts and our government obeyed the God given laws of the land. But Americans grew complacent, then greedy and sluggish. And they took a nap. A long, Rip-Van-Winkle-nap. And many are still sleeping.
Two thousand years ago a very different form of government ruled. The Roman Caesars. The rich were very rich, the poor were very poor, and there was no in-between. Times were brutal. The Sabbath celebrated by only a handful of Jews. Crime and violence knew no bounds and corruption marked and devoured the world.
Yet on that appointed night in Bethlehem a King was born. Born to die. Anointed by God, before the foundation of the world, to be crucified on that cross. Jesus would pay the penalty for all of mankind’s sin and rebellion against God—and this King was willing. Willing to die for you and for me.
Jesus was willing to leave behind His right to rule at the right hand of the Father. Willing to confine Himself in the human womb of a young Jewish girl to be born a helpless baby. He was willing to step out of immortality into mortality. Willing to suffer and ridiculed for thirty-two years before being tortured and crucified by those He came to save.
This perfect Lamb laid His life’s blood on the altar of God. So that any person who would accept and believe that His indescribable sacrifice would pay the penalty for their sins, would be washed clean with His blood, and would receive God’s promise of eternal life. With Him forever.
He was willing to trust the Father’s power to raise Him from the dead and give to Him an eternal kingdom that He would rule and reign from David’s throne in Jerusalem. Jesus was willing to wait for His Father’s instruction to collect those who have received His gift of new life at Calvary. Willing to forgive, comfort and love each one who comes to Him, believing He is Immanuel—God with us; if we are willing to honor, obey and love Him in return.
Our culture is changing, like ancient Rome, and those changes headline the news each day. We have moved the ancient boundaries God set in place for our protection. Please explain to me, how a man, woman, boy or girl who names the name of Jesus can support what God calls an abomination?
Many Americans don’t have a clue who God is nor are they interested in finding out. Many have turned their backs and walked away from the only way to the Father—His Son, Jesus Christ. Many have chosen to worship at the feet of false gods, and are still choosing to scream, “Crucify Him. Crucify Him.”
This Easter Season what is the Spirit of God saying to you? He whispered to my heart during the Lord’s Supper this past Sunday evening “…and He was willing.” Which begs the question, what am I willing to allow the Spirit to accomplish in me?
What are you willing to allow the Spirit to do in you?
Are you willing to lay aside pride in order to repair and restore family relationships that have been damaged in a sea of turmoil and misunderstanding?
Are you willing to crucify secret sins, addictions that require repentance and God’s forgiveness?
Are you willing to turn loose of the mess of anger, hatred, and bitterness you’ve harbored, asking Jesus to replace those destructive habits, thoughts, and emotions with His love, grace and mercy?
Are you willing to stand firm, speaking the truth of God ‘til Jesus comes? No matter the cost?
He was willing to suffer and die for you. What are you willing to put to death for His sake? Because you love Him and desire to be like Him?
“Even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep…For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father” (John 10:15-18 NAS).