October 25 2011

Our Life in His Death
 
Reading: Matthew 27:27-31, 27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
Luke 23:34, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Crosses are everywhere; on necklaces, rearview mirrors, tattoos, car bumpers, etc. Yet, even with this constant reminder out in plain sight, we tend to lose sight of what really occurred on the cross. Today, on my way to work, I was, once again, cut off by a fellow commuter. As I tried to hold back my frustration, my line of vision from my sustained scowl directed at the offender caught a glimpse of a familiar imagine dangling from my rearview mirror. As my focus pulled back from the offender to the cross, my eyes filled with tears. I recalled the verses above. I hang the symbol of His sacrifice in my car but how much do I LIVE as a reflection of that sacrifice? There is NOTHING in my day today or your day will even come close to the pain, suffering, neglect, sorrow, or betrayal that Jesus felt on that day. Yet, He still mustered the strength to utter the words, “Father, forgive them.” As the blood drained from His body, one thing was not depleted. His love!

Men, are there potential hurts and struggles in your day today? Or, will you be around those who have hurt you or frustrate you? What are those things or individuals?


How can you live as a reflection of His sacrifice and only show love… no matter what comes your way today?

 

End of the Day Review
  
Did you have struggles, frustrations or hurts today?

How were you able to reflect the sacrifice of Christ and His love today?
 
 How did this impact your perception of people or situations?