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Jul '16
Mary or Martha
07
Jul '16
Mark Ledford – July 7, 2016
Have you ever experienced burnout? Burnout is defined as the feeling one gets when a person has done something so long he or she has lost motivation. Maybe you’ve felt this way about your job before. You’ve done the same job for numerous years and you just don’t feel motivated to improve, much less even go to work. Perhaps you’ve felt this way in your parenting, because the good Lord knows how many times as a parent we say the same thing over and over and repeat the same chores over and over. Have you felt this way in your marriage? You’ve been married to the same person for years and have the same routines and conversations every day and you just don’t feel much toward your spouse. Have you ever felt this way in your ministry work? You’ve lead a life group, taught Bible studies, volunteered with different organizations, done your best to make disciples, only to wake morning after morning feeling less motivated to continue this work? I’ve experienced seasons like this and, to be honest, have felt that sense of burnout come over me lately. I’ve been wrestling with this question: If I’m doing the Lord’s work, why do I feel unmotivated? I mean I love my children, but why do I struggle at times to want to spend time with them? And I deeply love my wife, but why do I so many times find myself frustrated and unnecessarily creating arguments? As I’ve wrestled with these questions, I have discovered some useful truths from scripture that are helping me move beyond this feeling.
CASE STUDY: MARY AND MARTHA
In Luke 10:38-42, we are told a story about Jesus visiting the home of Mary and Martha, two sisters who obviously care deeply about Jesus. As the story goes, Jesus and His disciples were traveling and as they came to a certain village, and Martha opened up her home in order to care for Jesus and His disciples. As Jesus was talking and teaching, Mary was sitting at His feet listening to His words. While this is going on, Martha is DISTRACTED (
hold on to that word) making preparations for the guests and becomes frustrated. She approaches Jesus and questions whether He cares about her hard work and asks Him to reprimand her sister for her apparent laziness. The story concludes with Jesus saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Now from first read, if you are like me, you empathize with Martha…after all, you are working hard making sure things go well for Jesus and His disciples. Martha wants to make sure she takes care of Jesus and gives Him her best, while her sister sits at Jesus’ feet and doesn’t do any work. To make matters worse, Jesus commends Mary rather than Martha! However, there is an important word used in this story, and it’s the word DISTRACTED. In verse 40, Luke writes that Martha was distracted by all the preparations. What was she being distracted from? The answer of course is Jesus Himself! She was DOING many things for him but she wasn’t BEING
with him.
BURNOUT- JUST A SYMPTOM
What caused Mary to become frustrated? What contributed to her burnout? She was working hard and feeling no reward. However, something I’ve come to realize is that burnout is not the disease wreaking havoc but just a symptom. Much like an actual sickness, treating the symptoms may ease the pain or temper conditions but it won’t rid the body of the actual illness. Instead, the actual illness must be treated and thereby the symptoms will diminish. So what could cause the symptom of burnout? There might be many answers, but for me it seems the cause of burnout is overworking, or stated differently, putting work first and relationships second.
THE REAL PROBLEM
So burnout is the symptom of being distracted by the work and missing out on the relationship. For me this makes sense. Why do I feel burnout in my ministry work? I’m focused on the work rather than the relationship. I want to make disciples, lead well, teach well, etc. These are all good things, but I have become distracted by the work and missing the point. Jesus doesn’t condemn Martha, He just merely points out she is busy, worried and distracted. He encourages her to be like Mary in the moment and just be with Him. Can this be true in more than our ministry work? What about our jobs, children and marriages? Am I just about the tasks at work, or should I take some time and get to know those I work with? Am I just about the routines with my children, or should I take some time and just sit with them and fight my urge to do something else? Do I only talk to my spouse about household chores and to-do items, or should I take a night out and just be with her?
WHAT’S THE REMEDY?
For me, focusing on the relationships first gives meaning to the work. Maybe then I’ll feel more motivated. Perhaps I just need to be a little more like Mary and fight my urge to always be Martha. I’m not saying stop working, I’m just saying approach it from a different angle. Just spend some time being in relationship with Christ first and then pursue His work.
29
Jun '16
On His Mind
29
Jun '16
Denise Kaufman – June 29, 2016
Do you ever think about how many things we have to remember these days?
There are birthdays, dentist appointments, doctor appointments, appointments with the hairdresser, client meetings, work meetings, meetings with your child’s teacher. And we have to remember answers to certain questions: Did I set the alarm? Unplug the iron? Close the garage door? Watered the plants? Wait – when was the last time I watered the plants? What was it you needed to pick up at the grocery? What was that girl’s name—Alice or Ann? Or was it Susan? Whose turn is it to clean the kitchen at the office? Where did I park the car? And what is my password on this account? Is it capital or small case? I…OH MY!
It was a difficult shift for me to go from my paper calendar that held all my important information to an electronic one. It seemed so risky not to have a hard copy in my hands to rely on. But shift I did.
STOP AND REMEMBER
Now I rely heavily on my electronic calendar—more than I ever did on the paper one. In fact, I used to remember more, but now I let my calendar “remember” for me. I barely know my children’s phone number. All of this makes me very thankful that Jesus established Communion so that I would stop and remember his sacrifice.
I don’t think Jesus ever forgot what was ahead of Him.
Isn’t it interesting that His ministry began publicly at a wedding—a joyous celebration recorded in John 2:1-12. However, when His mother approached him about the problem of the host running out of wine, Jesus asked her what that had to do with Him because [His] hour had not yet come. (See John 2:3-4)
The phrase about “His hour” was a clear referral to the cross. He knew what was coming and He was already thinking about it.
Tim Keller in his book
Encounters with Jesus
(2013) insightfully recognized that Jesus going public with His ministry meant the clock would start on the countdown to Calvary – a sobering moment. Something like that is always on your mind.
Do you ever ask why Jesus would put Himself through this torture? It was for joy. Hebrews 12:2 says,
“For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross.”
WHAT JOY?
Well, there’s another wedding…
“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder shouting:
‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.’ Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
(Rev 19: 6-8)
I think it is safe to say that this wedding was and is on Jesus’ mind constantly as well.
Another interesting note from the wedding at Cana is that Jesus told the servants to put water in the jars used by the Jews for ceremonial washing (purification) and then he turned it into the best wine they had ever tasted (John 2: 6-7, 10). We can’t be ready for the wedding of the Lamb until we have been purified, cleansed from our sin. That takes us back to the cross where we receive forgiveness and cleansing by the blood of the Lamb.
And now the joy is also set before us!
THREE THINGS
I had a boss many years ago who told us we can only remember three things at a time. I’m sure he read it somewhere. If that, in fact, is accurate, what three things will you remember?
May I may a suggestion?
1. THE CROSS
2. WHO’S YOU ARE
3. THE JOY SET BEFORE US
And let us always remember that we were, and are, always on His mind.
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Jun '16
The Love of Your Father
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Jun '16
Bryan Hay – June 23, 2016
About 5 years ago, I had my head buried in the Bible and rapidly filling out a workbook for a Bible class. I was about 5 months into this study and averaging about 4-6 hours of homework per week. It was during one of these late night studies that my wife came down stairs looked at me and said, “Seriously? Why are you doing this? Why put yourself through so much reading?” Though years later she would actually teach this class, at the time she was a newer believer. I answered simply, “Because He is worth it.” Her newer Christian mind was spinning and she said, “Can you honestly tell me that you love God like you love me?” She continued, “How do you love someone you cannot see?” I at one time wondered the same thing, but God used a story to convict me, so I shared that same story with my wife.
IMAGINE
I replied, “Imagine you are a young girl. Imagine you just woke up in the morning but your eyes were opened in a new way. You sat up in bed and for the first time you noticed that the bed was designed at just the perfect length. When you looked around the room and saw the room was just the way you desired, the walls were just the right color, the door was just the right height, the furniture was just the right size, it was all custom made for you. With this new reality you ran down stairs and realized each stair was just the right length. Shaken up by these new realities, you ran outside and saw the playground was filled with all of your favorite slides and swings all made for just your size. Now in a panic you run inside yelling ‘Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Help me! Help me!’”
“At this time,” I continued, “Your dad came into the room and sat on the couch that you noticed was just right to fit your size. You told your dad all about these amazing things you became aware of. That’s when your dad sat you on his lap and lovingly said, ‘I was told one day you would notice the world around you and how it was just so. This means you are ready to hear this some very tough truths. You see, although I love you deeply I am not your actual Father. Before you were born, your real father had to leave for a very important mission and hand-picked me to raise you. But sweet child, know this, everything you see was designed for you to know your real Father’s love. Under the paint on those walls is His name, pull up the carpet and you will see Him there too. Everything you see was designed just so you would discover His love for you. But there is more, He is coming back to get you one day so you can live with him forever. He also left you a gift. It’s a letter describing Himself and His love for you. He wants you to read it and know Him deeply.’”
WOULD YOU?
I then asked my wife the same question I will ask you. If you were the little girl, would you read His letter? Would you maybe even love Him even though you never met Him?
We love because He first loved us. – 1 john 4:19
ESV
A CHALLENGE
Though such a short scripture, it is the reality of this truth that changes everything you see. My challenge to you is this. Take today and notice for a moment the world around you and notice the craftsmanship and the love it shows. Let us stand in awe knowing that our Father is coming back and let us read His letter not out of obligation, but because we want to know the Love of our Heavenly Father, the Father who first loved us.
21
Jun '16
Legacy of Love
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Jun '16
Jenny Krukar – June 20, 2016
The week leading up to Memorial Day, which was also the weekend of our oldest son’s 29th birthday, I sat in the Hosparus unit with my mom for the 3rd day in a row, not knowing how much time we had left with my stepdad, Jerry. With time dragging on, yet ironically time flying, my mind flooded with memories.
SNAPSHOTS OF MEMORIES
One in particular memory was the morning of my wedding – 21 years ago this week. I was a young mom excited with the fact that on this day we would officially become a family.
MY three little guys, ages 4, 6 & 8, would become OUR little guys. And I would soon be Mrs. Christopher Krukar. But as anyone who is familiar with active little boys, you can imagine how stressed I was trying to get myself ready on that morning, along with three who really didn’t want to be wide-eyed on a summer Saturday morning for anyone other than Bugs Bunny
. Yet in walks my mom & Jerry with a box of donuts ready to feed and wrangle my brood into miniature tuxedos. I can still see our youngest Jamie snuggled up to Jerry on the couch in his oversized t-shirt, knees tucked up inside and a sweet chocolate grin on his face.
Fast forward a little to Fall at Mom & Jerry’s home on Alfresco Place. Nick, Sean & Jamie would love to go to
“Green Grandma’s” and “Turquoise Jerry’s”
(as they became affectionately known as) for a big leaf raking, culminating in a “run, jump and completely destroy” any pile that Jerry created. I can still hear their giggles and see Jerry’s smile as their faces popped through the mess of leaves.
PRECIOUS AND PAINFUL
Memories can be wonderful and precious, but unfortunately in this broken world, they can also be painful and heart-wrenching.
My stepdad, Jerry died on May 26. On the heels of this, came the news of my precious friend Patsy’s death. And then, our world came face to face with evil, as we tried to take in the devastating tragedy that occurred in Orlando a weekend ago. My heart has been extremely heavy and burdened. However, I am reminded again and again of what Christ said to his friends in
John 16:33… “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
YOU WILL
Jesus didn’t say, “You may have…” or “It’s quite possible you will…” or even “It’s 99.9% probability that…” He says, “You
will.” He knew all too well. He didn’t sugarcoat or make sure it was politically correct first, so as not to offend – Jesus spoke TRUTH. He didn’t end there, though. His next sentence made sure we didn’t stay focused on the world’s troubles that were going to come. Jesus wanted us to return her minds/focus on Him by saying: “BUT take heart! I have overcome the world.” I know we have all seen this scripture a thousand times, but pay attention that Jesus gives us a clear strategy to combat the fear and anxiety that comes with knowing trouble is lurking. He prefaces that sentence with “…so that IN ME you may have peace.”
Christ is our anchor! Christ is our strength! He is our peace when we are in Him! When things of this world become unbearable and painful, Jesus is our answer! He is the only solution!
I’ve stated before because I am very familiar with this one: Fear is one of Satan’s most effective tools to halt a believer in his/her tracks, to keep us from being and doing what God has equipped us to accomplish. But our Lord knows this, so much so, that His Word resounds with statements that tell us not to be afraid, for
“I AM WITH YOU – Emmanuel – God With Us!”
The enemy wants nothing more than to see us flee and cower in a corner and disappear.
A REMINDER
So let me remind you of who you are! You are a child of THE King. He chose you. He sought you out because He loves you unfathomably! He would move heaven and earth for you – in fact He did! He came to this earth, laughed, loved, cried, toiled, suffered in a way we cannot begin to imagine and died on your behalf, on my behalf. BUT, it did not end there! He crushed death! He walked away from the grave more alive than ever! Jesus wins! Therefore, we win!
I’ve heard at many funerals over the years, particularly when we lose loved ones, that we carry on their legacy, that they live on in us and in our memories. How much more so, as children of God, is our eternal legacy?! How much more should we strive to live lives that point others to Christ, to be His hands and feet to the broken, to be loving, gentle, kind and grace-filled?! We are commissioned to be His light in this world. We have a perfect love that was fully displayed in Jesus that needs to be known. Our world is crying out for a hope/a love that only He can bring. Be that love – it’s your legacy!
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Jun '16
Living In the Light of Remembrance
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Jun '16
Ian Wooldridge – June 13, 2016
One of the things that strikes me as most astonishing about Jesus, as one of the most powerful things that truly sheds light on His character, is how much He was in the Scriptures. When He was tempted, when He was in deep moments of crisis, even when He was on the cross, He quoted Scripture. What does this mean? Jesus Himself, His mind and His heart, was saturated with God’s Word. Jesus knew that in order for Him to grow in favor and stature with God and men, He indeed must be in the Word. Jesus knew that they were vital and absolutely essential to being connected with the Father.
OBEDIENT TO DEATH
This reality, that Jesus was so connected with the Scriptures, has allowed me to ponder more and more exactly what His character must have been like. Thankfully, in chapter 2 of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, He gives us a beautiful and poignant overview of such character. He writes the following:
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! –
Philippians 2:5-8
That last verse there, verse 8, is all we need to know about the character of Jesus; that He became so obedient as a servant to His Father, and to men, that He even took on the scorn of the cross.
WE REMEMBER
When Jesus tells us to remember Him when He was at that last supper with His disciples, not only do we remember so as to celebrate and allow the life-giving, grace and love flowing truth of the cross to flood us, but we also remember the cross because it shows up His character, a character that He has given us to be freely like, as His indwelling Spirit permeates us and surrounds us.
THREE FINAL THOUGHTS
So, here are 3 thoughts I’d like to leave us with, regarding how to live in light of Jesus’ character:
1) Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Ask yourself: what would life look like if we all lived by this verse? If this verse was our motto,
What would our relationships look like?
What would home look like?
What would our workplace look like?
What would meeting new people look like?
What kind of peace would we find from worrying so much less about our own selves?
What kind of joy and grace would come with taking on the humility of Christ, and seeing others as He does?
2)
Again, Jesus thought that it was essential to have a mind and a heart saturated and permeated with the Scriptures. How much more should we be in the Word? If Jesus thought it was a good idea, let us take note!
3)
What would life be like if we quite literally saw everyone that we come into contact with as Jesus sees them? Think deeply about this one.
Jesus said to remember because it’s so easy to get caught up in a million other things in this life and forget. What is one easy, practical thing that you can do in your daily life to allow you to more fully remember His sacrifice on the cross? What is one easy or practical thing that you can do daily to remind you to fully live in His character, which He has given us in the indwelling of the Spirit? Jesus calls us forward into one degree of glory to another. Let us go with Him!
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Jun '16
The Story Behind the Scars
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Jun '16
Leigh Ann Florence – June 9, 2016
It was just a few weeks past my third birthday, but I remember it clearly. I was donning a two piece, striped, colorful bathing suit, remnants of M-n-M’s spread across the corners of my mouth, and wearing my hair in my favorite style: dog ears with “Cindy Brady” curls. My mother, older sister and a dear family friend had spent the day at the local swimming pool.
“You stay in car. I will be right back,”
my mom said as we arrived at the friend’s house. She wanted to help our friend carry her supplies to the door and make sure she arrived in the house safely. Ever the strong willed child, I decided rather than staying in the car I would step out to say hello to Misty, the family’s St. Bernard. No sooner had my feet hit the ground when Misty’s teeth grabbed hold of my face and knocked me to the ground. I remember my mom prying the dog’s mouth off my face, before we hopped in the car and headed to the local emergency room.
Sixty-seven stitches to the face later we were dismissed from the hospital to make the drive home. There is rarely a day or two that goes by that I don’t briefly think about that incident. I certainly don’t dwell on it and it goes without saying that the experience didn’t alter my love for animals as I have four dogs at my feet right now. Yet every time I look in the mirror or look at a picture of myself, I am reminded of the August Dog Day of Infamy. Why?
BECAUSE I SEE THE SCARS
My parents took me to a plastic surgeon who advised against the surgery. “The wound will heal,” the surgeon informed my parents, “but the scars will always remain.”
Not only do I have the many facial scars from the bite, I have several other scars, whether they be from accidents or medical procedures. And there are other scars too: the scar in my heart when I buried my dad, scars from broken friendships and scars from bad decisions. Rarely do I talk about my scars, but occasionally someone will ask and I’m happy to explain. You see, each and every scar has a story behind it. A purpose.
EVERY SCAR REPRESENTS A STORY
First, scars represent a moment in one’s life. Some scars happen that are out of our control while others occur because we make terrible mistakes of our own will. (Had I obeyed my mother, the day would have turned out differently.) Scars remind us that life isn’t perfect and we will experience pain, trouble, and heartbreak in this life.
In this world there will be trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.
– John 16:33
Secondly, whether they are physical or emotional, scars remind us that we were wounded and bruised, but the injury has healed and we have been delivered from our pain. All throughout scripture God delivered His people. He delivered His people out of Egypt, delivered Daniel from the fiery furnace, delivered Mordecai from his impending death in the book of Esther, the examples are nonstop. Psalm 107:6 tells us,
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.”
Finally, and most importantly, when I look at my scars, I am overwhelmed knowing the scars that have impacted my life the most aren’t even mine. They can’t be found anywhere on my body. They are on My Savior’s body – on His hands and His feet from the nails; on His side from the sword that pierced Him.
HE MADE THEM HIS VERY OWN
Each Sunday we have the opportunity to pause and deliberately remember His scars and the impact they have had on our life. I’m reminded of a verse from the old hymn,
I STAND AMAZED, particularly the second line.
He took my sins and my sorrows
He made them His very own.
He bore the burden to Calvary
And suffered and died alone.
(Written by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel, Public Domain)
As I think about my physical and emotional scars, I can’t fathom enduring them for anyone else, nor can I imagine bearing someone’s burden so much that I suffer and die, yet that is what our Savior willingly did for us. And even if I were generous enough to suffer for others, my parents would have never allowed it, yet the Father willingly sent His Son to suffer for us. And Christ endured pain and death for every single person that would ever live. And that story – the story of His suffering, death, and scars – should be remembered and told in detail every chance we get.
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Jun '16
Memorial Stones
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Jun '16
Mac Stephens – June 6, 2016
So Joshua told the Israelites, “Come and listen to what the Lord your God says. Today you will know that the living God is among you. He will surely drive out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites ahead of you. Look, the Ark of the Covenant, which belongs to the Lord of the whole earth, will lead you across the Jordan River!” – Joshua 3:9-11 NLT
GOD ALWAYS WINS
God tells us everything that we need to succeed. He has a master plan, even though we can’t always see it or know how it is going to unfold. God always wins! Joshua gives the children of Israel a message from God that He is with them as they are about to enter into the Promised Land. Even though they are about to meet opposition, God has already declared that He will drive out the inhabitants that they will encounter.
So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.” – Joshua 4:4-7 NLT
A REMINDER TO REFLECT ON GOD
God told His people to place twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan River as a remembrance for the Children of Israel and their future generations. In the summer season, when the river was low, the stones would stand tall to remind them to reflect on what God had done for His people in this very spot. And when their children asked about them, their parents would share of the memory of how God stopped the flowing water so that they could cross the Jordan and enter into the Promised Land.
PUTTING UP OUR OWN STONES
Even though the location of this particular pile of stones is unknown and they are no longer visible today, as far as we know, the idea of remembrance resonates in us all. But instead of stones, we tend to use other methods, such as photo albums, journals, trinkets, decorated mantles or shelves, tattoos, etc. These items are memorials that encourage us, inspire us, and help us remember important events, help us reflect on where we came from. The same should be true about God. We should have memorial stones that remind us about God: His goodness, His greatness, His Love, and His Provision. These could be strategically placed Bible Verses, prayer journals, lists of answered prayer requests, pictures of things God has done, or physical objects that represent a vital moment or event where God has been evident in your life. We need these types of memorials to help us trust God when times get tough. Memorial stones are a way to remember what God has done in the past so that we can continue to trust Him in the future. They are not designed to become idols that we worship, but elements that draw us closer to God when we reflect on them in remembrance.
If you haven’t yet set up any memorial stones along the path of your life journey so far, start now by thinking about what God has done for you, those vital moments where you obviously heard His voice or the scary ones where He intervened at the last minute with exactly what you needed. You might be surprised at how vividly you recall His presence and how often He is there! Document it! Put up your stones! Remember and draw near to Him.
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Jun '16
In Remembrance
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Jun '16
Mark Ledford – June 2, 2016
What are the most memorable events in your life? What are the things you remember above everything else? For me, it’s important dates: my son and daughter’s birthday, my anniversary. It’s not the date that is so special but rather the event it celebrates. A date is just something we use as a placeholder in time to help us remember and commemorate important things in our lives. We typically commit to memory those really important things and rarely forget them; but haven’t you had that moment though when you couldn’t remember something you knew so well? We say “it’s right on the tip of my tongue,” which really means we cannot remember that important thing that, in fact, we thought we knew so well. It usually helps to write things down we don’t want to forget. Perhaps one of the many reasons God provides us his word is because we so easily forget things even though we consider them very important. His words were recorded so we could read them and remember what He said, the promises He has fulfilled and the wisdom He provides.
WHAT DID JESUS INSTRUCT US TO REMEMBER?
Jesus stated very clearly in Luke 22:19 that we are to remember Him, especially the sacrifice of His body and blood He made for our sins. The scene takes place in the upper room as Jesus explains to the disciples that He is going to die and rise again on the third day. In His last moments of life, He found it important to provide His disciples with a method by which to remember Him. He could have done anything in those last moments. He could have performed outstanding miracles, taught a new lesson, gave them nuggets of wisdom to live by or simply went to sleep. Instead, He instituted Communion; something we do to remember Him. During Communion with Jesus we share in His body and blood and thank Him for who he was and what he did.
WHY TELL US TO REMEMBER?
Surely the disciples knew Jesus was important and should be remembered, so why did Jesus specifically say to remember the moment of Communion and His sacrifice? He knew we would forget. Maybe He knew we would want to focus on His great teachings and try to live according to those standards. Maybe He knew we would focus on His healing and miracles. Maybe He knew we would focus on His wisdom and apply that to our lives. There is nothing wrong with any of those attributes of Jesus, but what is most important is the reason He came: to offer Himself as the sacrifice for our sins, restoring our relationship with God so we could dwell with Him for eternity. His teachings, healing and wisdom apart from sacrifice don’t save. HE is the ONE that saves! We remember Him and His victory above all else.
HOW DO WE REMEMBER?
Even though we know Jesus made an important sacrifice and that we should remember, we then have to ask: How do we remember? We remember by telling others. We remember by taking Communion together as a church body. We remember perhaps through songs. Songs have a powerful way of helping us remember important things. How many song lyrics can you recite, be they spiritual or secular? Can you repeat as many scriptures? Singing about Jesus and His sacrifice serves as a way to help us remember Him. Consider the chorus of the following two songs:
Victory in Jesus
Oh victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me,
With His redeeming blood.
He loved me, ere I knew Him,
Now all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
©1939 by E.M. Bartlet
One That Saves
You are the way, You are the life.
Jesus Christ, You are alive.
You are God, You are the one that Saves.
You are the hope, You are the grace,
You restore, You break our chains
You are God, You are the One That Saves.
Written by Aaron Lee and Ian Wooldridge, © 2015 by
Cultivate Music
Let us remember what He did: He sacrificed Himself on the cross, providing victory over death as He was, and is, the only one capable of saving us!