Enbracing life while facing death
Embracing Life while facing death
What if you knew that your time was up, how would you respond? Let us look at an historical account of a person responding to such a question.
And as they ate, Jesus took a loaf and blessed and broke it, and He gave to them and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And taking the cup, giving thanks, He gave to them. And they all drank out of it.
And He said to them, this is My blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for many.
Truly I say to you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:22-26
Jesus the son of God taking on the form of man and experiencing all this earth and body had to offer. God, the King of all Kings taking on the body and emotions of a man. Sounds like Jesus got a bum deal! Not me! I’m not that humble, nor could I love someone at that level. But He healed, taught, cleansed and loved us with all that He had and more. He was now preparing Himself to take His place on the cross for our sins. Yes our sins. Not His… ours.
In this scene we see how he responds with about a week to live. Jesus responds by signing a contract with His own blood, giving thanks and singing hymns! Hey guys lets break out the best china, grab our guitars and party! Not my first thoughts…maybe spend some money…take that trip…tell that person off … but make a public acknowledgement to my closest friends that I willingly laying my life down for them and thank God for the opportunity to do so. Talk about a very awkward moment. My bet is that no one in that room was authentic with their toast of thanks other than Jesus Himself. Remarkable attitude while staring death in the face.
Prior to this event Jesus was conversing with children, healing the blind, crippled and diseased and comforting His disciples. It was “business “as usual. Nothing changed because He ALWAYS LIVED His life giving the glory to God. He didn’t put on a church face or change His attitude based on His circumstance. God’s love for Him and His love for God was real and authentic and it showed in the way He lived.
So what changed with this realization that His death was very soon…nothing, as He lived everyday like it was His last. He walked and hung close to His father God, every day. He lived the life of a servant, up until His last breath on the cross.
“Abba, Father," He cried out, "everything is possible for You. Please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine." Mark 14:36
He cried out to God with determination to do His will even as the odds and lies where stacked against Him.
For many testified falsely against Him… And certain ones rose up and bore false witness against Him… Mark 14:56-58
Does Jesus call down armies of angels for His defense and freedom? NO! He remains silent…
But He was silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed? Mark 14:61
And He remains confident… Knowing He is doing the will of God.
Mark 14:62 Jesus said, "I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven. " Do we boldly declare that we are one of Gods children even in the face of adversity? Jesus said” I am” Are you saying “I am” in your attitude and actions?
“Abba, Father,”… Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine." Mark 14:36 …
Do we cry out for Gods will in our lives over ours?
Remember…When you give up your will you are in His and that is a much better place to be!
Colossians 3:24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
Live your life…everyday like it’s your last, to the Glory of God, begin to die today so that your may live and be full with the goodness of God.
Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness (completion) should dwell.
Ephesians 3:19 and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.
Let us have the heart of Thanksgiving for each day that He has given us. Let us continue to honor His covenant with us, through our service to Him and our fellow man. Let us have heart of praise and adoration for God favor and love on our lives.
Let us cry out Abba Father… your will not mine and begin to really live!