More? Saturday, May 28 2011

More?
 
Reading:Luke 23:40-43, 40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
 
More than any other miracle, teaching or parable that Jesus performed or spoke, His time spent hanging on the cross is, to me, the most amazing example of the depth of His love and perfection. First, He was 100% innocent. Then, he was beaten to the point of being unrecognizable as a man. Then the crown of thorns was jammed on His head. He was nailed to the cross. The entire process, by the time that he was upright hanging on the cross, all of His bones were out of joint. On top of that, He was bearing the weight of the world’s sin on His shoulders. Just take a moment to really consider this.
 
Men, there is nothing… NOTHING that will happen in your day today that could even compare to this. Yet, after all of this, someone asks more of Him. I hate to admit this but, if I were in Jesus place, I would probably look at the thief that asked me a favor to “remember” him and say, “Are you serious? Don’t you see what I’ve been through? After all of this and bearing all of the world’s sin, you want to ask me for something? Are you serious?” But, Jesus through all of his excruciating pain welcomed it.
 
What pains or struggles are you going through today?
 
How might this impact your ability and/or desire to welcome serving others? And, what can you do to stem that?
 
 
Challenge:Today, welcome any opportunity to do more for others. Continue to keep Jesus and His example in mind throughout the day. No matter what happens today, always welcome the opportunity to serve.
REVIEW
 
Were you able to let go of your own struggles and focus on the needs of others?
 
 
How did this impact your day and the way you perceive your surroundings?