"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
This Easter season has caused me to reflect on what was important to Jesus. Upon whom did He fix his eyes? How did He know what to do? If Hebrews 11 is the Christian's Hall of Faith, and examples of how our forefathers lived by faith, then Hebrews 12:1-2 shows us Jesus as the supreme model for faith in His Father.
In John 6:38, Jesus says, "I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent Me." Was the most important thing in the life of Christ to discern the will of God and do it? In John 4:34, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work." It is safe to say the most important thing in the life of Christ was to discern the will of God and do it.
A most poignant scene in Jesus' life in which we see Him accepting God's will is in the Garden at Gethsemane. It was more important to Him to do the will of God than to have the cup of the Cross taken from Him. How could He accept this? Choice. He chose, He willed, He determined that nothing should take precedence over God's will for Him. He is our most significant example of doing God's will. And how hard it was. But we must remember, "...Who for the JOY set before Him... " What joy? The joy of the prospect of future glory with God the Father. The joy of knowing present suffering for the sake of the Gospel is far outweighed by seeing unbelieving people become committed followers of Jesus Christ.
"Yet, not My will, but Yours be done."
Oswald Chambers in "My Utmost for His Highest" says we need spiritual grit. Jesus had spiritual grit. Do we? We had better be prepared for one day God may ask us to do a very hard thing. We may move into suffering we could never have imagined, but if it's God will for us, then we also know, according to Romans 8:28, it will work out for the good. We all know people, who having been through unimaginable suffering, emerge with a much deeper experience of God and are triumphant by grace through faith. And, we all know, others are watching.
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Carolyn, I hope I can comment on my PC. Mac's don't work. Here goes. I love the writing on this piece. Your faith shows.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Karen, your voice!! My GRIT magazine this month speaks of pioneers with "true grit" who left home with only what they could carry, seeking something better. It said that they found resolution and reconciliation in a topsy-turvy world - and that their message to us today is compelling. Fits, doesn't it!
ReplyDeleteOh, boy! Karen, your comment got posted! And how fitting indeed that pioneers who overcame tremendous hardship, could find reconciliation, resolution and spiritual grit. "Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." John 16:33
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