John 10:17-18 -- For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
Thank You Lord, for Your love. Thank You Lord, for Your holiness. Thank You Lord, for this new day to spend with You and to lift up the name of Jesus in everything and every place. In Jesus name. Amen.
As soon as I read today's verses, I was immediately hit with Romans 5:6-11.
Romans 5:6-11 -- For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Wow. Really let those verses sink in.
We often get caught up on the fact Jesus died for us, for the sins of the world. We tend to not think as much about the fact that He's alive! Well at least not until somewhere around March or April that is.
Jesus is speaking to the religious authorities who have been plotting to trap and kill Him, and makes clear, His death and life are fully under His control.
Every lie He endured. Every taunt. Every strike of the flogging. Every punch. Every thorn pressed into His head. Every step to Calvary. Every nail driven…. Jesus willingly took all, up to His final breath. His death was under His authority. Just as His resurrection and life was as well.
These selfish, deceitful, religious rulers are hearing Jesus not only call them out for being hired hands, thieves, and robbers, but now essentially nullifying they're secret desires to trap and kill Him.
It does amaze me though at how the world can try to sweep Jesus under the rug by saying he was a good teacher or just had nice things to say about love, etc… When we hear Jesus speak the things in today's verses it just highlights those who try to dismiss Jesus as God are either not reading the Bible or willfully skipping over them.
Christian, we're in the Christmas Season, which means most people switch to "Baby Jesus" mode, and think only of His birth, pretty stars, angels, shepherds, and wise men with gifts. These are all part of Jesus' story but don't ever let go of the whole of our Savior, Lord, King of Kings. Let this Christmas and the tiny baby in the manger bring you to reflect on the whole of who He is and all He has done.
It is breathtaking to think He willingly took on the form of man, born in a manger. He walked with us, taught us, showed us by example, lived sinlessly. He chose to lay down His life and die for us and chose to take back up His life to live in victory! He sits at the right hand of the Father, and He is our advocate! It's so amazing and magnificent, how can we even begin to fathom it?
Well, that's where the journey went today in this quiet time with the Lord. Christmas should be a celebration of Jesus Christ, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Word, not just the baby in a manger.
You are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
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