Living 4 Him

“When Jesus received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up his spirit.” John 19:30 (NKJV)

For over 30 years as a classroom teacher, in late May or early June, I ended my marathon of planning, teaching, managing, and organizing by packing up our classroom.  Another school year finished always felt like a victory. 

As Jesus breathed his last breath upon the cross, the full realization of his mission manifested and he honored God’s work through him with the words, “It is finished.” 

What exactly was “it”?

A human experience to come close to the hearts of his creation.

A ministry to share, to teach, to equip and to prepare.

A sacrifice to wipe away evil and purify the hearts of his creation.

A pathway to new life; a life in the Spirit leading to eternity.

Jesus fulfilled the purpose God gave him. The moment he completed his labor, he opened the way for others to follow his footsteps and carry out God’s purposes on this earth.   As followers of Jesus, our human experience is meant to glorify God and to live out God’s highest intentions for our lives.  Let’s look at four specific ways Jesus exemplified the human experience and how they relate to us.

Jesus was chosen by God. When God saw the great need for humans to overcome sin, he chose his Son, Jesus, to come to earth and wipe away the stain of sin forever.  Living as God’s children, we also are chosen for beautiful, gracious purposes.  In God’s wisdom, he has placed us in the perfect situations for us to achieve the goals of his kingdom with love as the ultimate objective. 

Looking at Jesus’ life, we know that every word spoken, every action taken was motivated by love. He loved God and desired to serve him. Jesus loved those he encountered so easily because he loved his father so deeply.  The same is true for us; loving God and accepting his love for us, leads us to love others.

Jesus was created by God. God created his Son not only to function on earth in general but also to handle every situation he encountered.  Fully human, yet fully equipped to pursue the plans God had for him.  We are no different.  Living in the righteousness of Jesus, God has created and empowered us to live in the conditions we find ourselves in. We are here because God needs us to be here. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Jesus was cared for by God. Jesus lived close to God, but God also lived close to Jesus, providing power for needs within the boundary of the world and beyond.   As part of God’s creation, we are also cared for by our loving Creator who knows the surface of our souls and layers beneath.  God does not leave us to paddle alone.  He cares.

Last, Jesus was crowned by God.  After Jesus fulfilled his time on earth, God ushered him to heaven and crowned him with all glory and authority.  H God has prepared a place for us in heaven as well.  As we move through our days, our eyes can focus on the joy of finishing our earthly journey and taking our place in God’s glory. 

In his book, Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine, Max Lucado writes that God’s grace removes our hearts and replaces them with his. He doesn’t ask us to change, but he creates the change (through our experiences on earth.)  Lucado says: His dream isn’t just to get you into heaven but to get heaven into you.

Jesus’ life and death put God’s dream into motion.  He forged the way for a relationship with God, guided by His Spirit.  Our purpose begins in God and his love.  So spend time loving God and loving others and you’ll find your purpose fulfilled each day. 

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul):  Read Romans 5 to better understand our purpose within the context of our salvation. As Paul encouraged the believers of that time, let us be encouraged that we are fulfilling God’s purposes each day.

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world):  Pray these words acknowledging the joy of God’s purposes for you.

Father God, I stand in awe of your sacrifice for me.  The blood of your flesh has cleansed the blood of my flesh and I am made new.  My heart and my life sing of the fresh glory of being a child of the King! When you carry my burdens my spirit is light.  Lighten my load so I can fly with you.  In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.