Worth the Sacrifice

"...the life of Jesus was a call to SELF-SURRENDER, and to fellowship in SUFFERING."

Following Jesus means doing exactly that - surrender self to the Father's will and suffering for Christ's sake.

That doesn't sound appealing.

But when we remind ourselves of the eternal reward that we will receive for our temporary sacrifice, we will understand that following Christ, though difficult, is worth it.

Jesus gave up all. 

Love expects us to do the same.

But we don't give up all to get nothing in return. In God's kingdom, we are investing. Investing in eternity. We will get our reward, with interest! 

And, oh! What a reward it is! To sit at the right hand of the throne of God. To be heirs of His glorious kingdom. To be in the Heavenly courts one day alongside angels and loved ones! To spend time with Jesus for time and eternity!

It's a beautiful reward, isn't it?!

Challenge: Focus on the blessings of serving Christ. It will make your cross a lot easier to bear.

"...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:4

King to Pauper

Tis' true. 

Jesus didn't HAVE TO come down and save us. 

But He did. 

And now we have the opportunity to thank Him for His sacrifice.

Did He do it so that He could receive praise?

I don't think so.

He did it because He loves us.

He chose to live a life of a fragile human being because He wanted to put Himself in our shoes.

That is what compassion is.

Sympathy is: "I feel sorry for your pain"

Compassion is: "Let me walk you through the pain."

Jesus looked at sinful man and realized that we are drowning, suffocating, hopeless. He felt sorry for us while sitting on His throne.

But the moment He stepped down to our level, left His glory above, clothed himself with dust and mud (human flesh), that is when compassion was revealed at its peak.

Jesus wants to save you.

Today and everyday, give Him the opportunity to save you from yourself and this dead world.

From King to Pauper for you and me. He risked all. He gave up all. Let not His sacrifice be in vain for you.

“Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).