DON'T BELITTLE JESUS

Here we are again, tracing our way to Calvary.

"Surely this man was the Son of God!" said the centurion who watched Jesus die on the cross (Mark 15:39), after a long dark day when Jesus was sentenced to death at the taunting of indignant religious leaders and the multitude.

Mocked, lashed, spat at, crowned with thorns, his tormentors made Him carry the cross. The final scene: "The King of the Jews" crucified, just like a common criminal. 

Surely He proved Himself God: Healed the woman who hemorrhaged for the most part of her life. Gave sight to blind Bartimaeus. Made the lame walk. Raised Lazarus from the dead. Calmed the storm. Enabled Peter to walk on water. Sent malevolent spirits scampering from a tormented soul into pigs and to their death.

The apostle John said that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written about all the things which Jesus did. 

Up to today, many turn to Him because He's proven to be the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). He assured, "Don't be afraid. Just have faith." (Mark5:36). 

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved---you and your household, " said the apostles in Acts 16:31. This salvation He gives for free. It is not earned, so no one would boast. 

It's all because of God's amazing grace.

So it is not a fad that people are turning their lives over to Jesus. The captives are set free. Lives are changed, for the better.

But it took the greatest sacrifice. The Son of God became man---the great exchange. His lashes and broken bones for our healing. His pain for our joy and peace. His blood for our sin. His death for our life---eternal life.

Unknowingly, we cheapen what Jesus has done for us. 

This holy week, especially in the Philippines, many will have themselves crucified to identify with Jesus and be cleansed from their guilt. Countless other don'ts-and-do-this-stuff will be accomplished by many as a way of imitating Jesus.

As if what He did on the cross is not enough to totally take care of our sins and weaknesses. All He needs from us is honest to goodness repentance, a turning away from sin; and acknowledge what He did on the cross. 

"It is finished," He reminds us.
 
The only sacrifice Jesus wants from us is this: To trust and obey His Word. To thank and praise Him. To worship Him not only with our lips but with our lives.

"...and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:2)

Everything is under the blood of Jesus.

"At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." (Philippians 2:10). 

Name it! Cancer, heartache, addiction,  brokenness, insanity, loneliness, profanity, lack, famine, drought, pestilence. The whole of creation obey Him because He created them. 

Every name or object or situation and every created being that has been named, bow only to this One Name. That's why the devil tries so hard to distance us from that Name. 

We belittle Jesus in so many other ways. Insisting the lie to be truth, though Jesus taught us the truth. Some of these lies: That a woman can have her unborn baby aborted because she has the sole right to her body, or homosexuality is OK just because gays have gained political muscle. 

But we cannot bash gays and lesbians or anyone treading dangerous waters. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God---none exempt! 

We however speak against sin and the lies of Satan, and every word declaring wrong to be right. 

You cannot shake your fist at God and expect things to turn out right even as you reject Him. Going against your Creator's plan, and the purpose for which you've been created, has its consequences! 

Jesus offers to take us out of the rut. Without Him, it's a useless and tiring rowing against the current.

This week, let's ask ourselves: Do I REALLY believe in Jesus, or am I just going with the flow of what I've always done year in and year out? Is Jesus just a name in my mind? Does He even own my heart?

Jesus is Lord, or not at all. It's a choice we have to make at one point in our lives.

Choose Jesus, choose new; and with that, peace, joy, assurance of a full life. And the ability to resist temptation. He is the God who's more than enough. He came that we may have life abundant. 

Now may be the best time to commit your life to Him. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior.

Pray: Jesus, forgive me. Thank you for dying on the cross to save me from my sins and give me eternal life. Come into my heart. I confess you today as my Savior and my Lord. Holy Spirit, have your way in me. In Jesus name.

Now, trust and obey! And worship Him with your life, everyday and not just at certain times of the year.