Devotionals & Scriptures

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things. . .and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Matthew 16:21

The Cost of Life

Death is as much a part of life as living is. But how many of us actually ponder our own deaths? It may seem like a pretty morbid thought or discussion to have. It may sound foreboding and many of us may find it “unthinkable.” Not because it will never happen but because it is something we just don’t want to deal with. Death is just to heavy a topic. The thought for the average person may be stressful or even depressing.

Yet, Jesus clearly thought about His death because He discussed it with His disciples. Have you ever thought about how Jesus felt? Or, what He may have thought? After all He did come to this earth and experience life just as you and I. He did have emotions in His human form. Scripture tells us that Jesus wept over the death of His friend, Lazarus. It says, “When Jesus saw her (Mary) weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” So, just imagine what a burden it must have been for Him to have to carry around the reality of knowing His own death was at hand. A death that had nothing to do with illness, accidents, or sin (because He was sinless). Jesus carried the weight of death for your sins and mine!

Unlike us, Jesus was not running around making the type of last-minute preparations that we do. He didn’t secure an attorney to generate a Will. He didn't call the family together to tell them who would get the house. The car. The jewelry. The money. He had no regrets about who He had wronged. He had no apologies to make. He was not consumed by material things. Jesus simply carried OUR BAGGAGE. Jesus’ concern during His impending death was for us. His affairs were in order; had always been in order. Jesus loved us so much that He carried our death for us. He nailed it to the Cross that the” whosoever will,” would have life eternal. He comforted His disciples, told them not to “let their hearts be troubled.” Jesus said His Father’s house had many rooms and He was going there to prepare a place for them, and we too have a room there; those that believe in the living God and the living Christ!

So, as we find ourselves in this season of Lent, preparing for Resurrection Sunday (Easter), let us do a lot of soul searching. Let us search our hearts. Let us be more than grateful for His ultimate sacrifice—death. Let us be even more thankful that the grave could not and did not hold Him. He is Risen! Let us remember that:

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son are in this that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Let us not take this truth for granted!

Grace and peace,

Rev. Dr. Wendy

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, as we commence to fasting and praying, help us to do so with a sincere heart; let us not do it for show or out of a sense of obligation but let us do so because of our love for You. We know that You did not have to send Your Son to die for our sins, but You did, and we are forever grateful. We are undeserving Lord and cannot thank You enough. Father, we ask for Your guidance and wisdom so that we know how to love one another and are not deceived by the schemes of the enemy. We want our words, actions, and lives to be acceptable in Your sight, Father. Father, give us a heart after Your will. This is our prayer, in the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!