It’s sad, but it seems far too easy to forget what Jesus did for us. He was a man unlike any other. Yes, we can explain this by the fact Jesus was at once fully God and fully man. How could He help but be extraordinary? It’s important to recognize that in His humanness, Jesus experienced the free will to choose His path. He didn’t have to be obedient, but He chose to on our behalf. Before Christ went to the cross, He asked the Father to provide another option (Matthew 26:36-39).
He didn’t want to go to the cross, but He went so we might live. Jesus could have saved Himself, but He did not. Imagine the horror among all those who were torturing Him if Jesus would have suddenly called 10,000 angels to assist Him. He could have done that, but He didn’t. He kept His love for God and His love for every human soul at the forefront. Jesus could have saved Himself but opted instead to save you and me.
We get caught up in our day to day lives, our dreams, and our work. We forget what Jesus did for us. Not only did Jesus live a life of total obedience to His Father to show us how to live, but He also sacrificed His glory and life so we could be rescued from death and the plans of the devil. How is it we so easily forget what He did? The way Christ lived, died, and rose again is the greatest story ever told. It is the truth of the gospel that gives us purpose and meaning. Without Jesus, nothing else matters. Life becomes nothing more than a result of random chance devoid of purpose or hope.
Knowing what Jesus did for us and what His life, death, and resurrection mean for all of humanity, how can we do anything but love and worship Him? And yet, so often we do not. We put ourselves first in our lives rather than surrendering to Him as Lord. Even those of us who claim Him as Lord often take the title away from Him as we go throughout our day. Did you ever stop to think about how insulting it must be to Jesus for us to declare He isn’t worthy to be our Lord? This is what we do every time we sin and live in any way that does not honor Him.
We’ve got to recognize the seriousness of our sin. We must focus every moment on Him. He’s worth it. Who else in life has done what Jesus did for you? What else can offer you what He can? Only Jesus is worthy of our life and devotion. What He did for us is beyond amazing, beyond love. I never want to dishonor His sacrifice. I hope that’s your intention as well. I know I’ll mess up, but I will do everything I can to always remember who Jesus is and what He did for me. To think any other way is an insult to our Savior. Today, and every day from this moment on, focus on Jesus and put away everything else. There is nothing worth our time but Jesus.