This time of year, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. His life has had more impact on the world than any other man, and in the western world, we actually divide history by the life of Jesus. Before Christ, we could not fully understand how God was going to redeem the world. After the cross and resurrection, we can see that God's plan was to redeem a people by saving us from our sin.
The cross was not God's back up plan. In fact, when God created the world, he knew how history would unfold and planned to send His son to be the redeemer. Jesus as a member of the Trinity planned from the very moment He created to come and take on human form and die for us. The cross, while done for us, is not primarily about us. At the cross, Jesus gives ultimate glory to the Father by displaying the love and goodness of God through sacrificing Himself for those who rejected Him. Therefore, we can rightly say that no matter the number of years went by before or continue after the cross, it will still be the center of history
The cross was not God's back up plan. In fact, when God created the world, he knew how history would unfold and planned to send His son to be the redeemer. Jesus as a member of the Trinity planned from the very moment He created to come and take on human form and die for us. The cross, while done for us, is not primarily about us. At the cross, Jesus gives ultimate glory to the Father by displaying the love and goodness of God through sacrificing Himself for those who rejected Him. Therefore, we can rightly say that no matter the number of years went by before or continue after the cross, it will still be the center of history
Since the work done by Jesus on the cross and His resurrection is the center of the history of the world, it should be the center of our lives. Is it? Does the gospel dominate your life?
How often do you think about Jesus and His work for you? How often does the gospel influence your decisions at work or in the home? How often do you spend time with your Savior in the Word or in prayer? Can you say you are intentional daily? When tempted to cheat on your taxes (yes this time of year too!), are you walking close enough with the Holy Spirit to be want to do the righteous thing even though you could probably get away with a little fudge here and there? Is Jesus love on your lips when you get home after a long day and see your wife, husband, or kids? In decision, attitudes, and actions throughout our daily lives, we need Jesus to be the center.
Now I know that none of us are perfect yet, because Jesus would not have had to die for perfect people, but the more the gospel becomes the center of our lives, the more like Jesus we will become. During this Easter season, I want to encourage you to think about how to make Jesus the center not just of your history, but of your everyday.
How often do you think about Jesus and His work for you? How often does the gospel influence your decisions at work or in the home? How often do you spend time with your Savior in the Word or in prayer? Can you say you are intentional daily? When tempted to cheat on your taxes (yes this time of year too!), are you walking close enough with the Holy Spirit to be want to do the righteous thing even though you could probably get away with a little fudge here and there? Is Jesus love on your lips when you get home after a long day and see your wife, husband, or kids? In decision, attitudes, and actions throughout our daily lives, we need Jesus to be the center.
Now I know that none of us are perfect yet, because Jesus would not have had to die for perfect people, but the more the gospel becomes the center of our lives, the more like Jesus we will become. During this Easter season, I want to encourage you to think about how to make Jesus the center not just of your history, but of your everyday.
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