It’s Friday…Let It Sink In

We’re in a season when the symbol of the Cross seems more meaningful. How personal to you is the Cross? It’s a question that shouldn’t be answered too quickly. Perhaps many of us have heard for years – decades, even – that “God so loved the world,” and Jesus Christ is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” We’ve sung songs about how Jesus loves all the children of the world and we may have even told others, “Jesus loves you.” All of that is easy to accept for those who believe the gospel. But there’s a harder question we have to ask ourselves: Does Jesus love me – personally and individually? Did He die for me? Does His sacrifice apply specifically and directly to me?

Imagine being one of the disciples speaking with Jesus after His resurrection. In your mind’s eye, envision sitting down with Him in the shade of a building or a couple of rocks on a hillside, asking Him this question: “Why did you go to the Cross when You didn’t have to?” Listen to His answer: “It is God’s glory to redeem you, to give you life with Me forever. I did it because I love my disciples: Peter needed it, so did James and John. And so do you. I did for you.”

It’s not a far-fetched conversation. He is alive and He still speaks to us. He says such things today. It is critical that we open our ears to Him. The gospel is for the whole world, but it is also deeply personal. Salvation is a gift of God to an individual.

“I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Too many of Christ’s followers have a gnawing gut feeling that while Jesus died for other people, He wouldn’t have necessarily done it for them alone. Some of us feel as though we just jumped on a bandwagon that was meant for other sinners – more sinful, more religious, more worthy, better able to live up to the gospel after their salvation, etc. We believe the gospel and even proclaim it. We praise God for it. But what we want to know is this: Does this really apply to me?

It does. Let It Sink In. You aren’t just worshiping the Savior of the world. You are worshiping the Savior of you. Seriously, let it sink in.

Have a satisfying weekend. Make it better by worshiping The Lord with those who are overwhelmed with hope because the Savior of the world died and rose again for them. The thought of such truth inspires them to abide in Him at all times and in every way.

“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, The King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16)