After
Jesus received the vinegar, He said, “It has been completed;” then bowed His
head and released His spirit. (John 19:30)
How often do you say, or allow others to say
about you, (or at least feel – inside) that, “you deserve ___” (some benefit or
honor or recognition)? The ultimate work of Jesus was to die. Do you understand
that He was saying that your work is to be the same?
Earlier in the book of John, Jesus is
speaking with His disciples (John 12:23-27). He explained that neither He nor
they could be faithful to God the Father, and His purpose for them, unless they
were willing to give up any claim they have upon even their own lives. People
whose expectation for their life is that they will live it as if they are
already dead to what they want or need, do not feel they deserve anything
beyond that death. The language was much more direct in the book of Mark
(8:34). There, Jesus said explicitly that His follower must, “deny himself and
take up their cross.” Your desires to get what you have earned by your good
works or your faithfulness must die if you wish to follow Jesus faithfully.
Refuse to feel entitled and die to your
selfish desires so that Jesus can use you to bring others to new life in Him.
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