"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,
leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
1 Peter 2:21
Jesus
The son of God resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Where he knew he would be betrayed by his disciple Judas; arrested by his fellow Jews; disowned by his disciple Peter; and as an innocent man crucified by the Roman government on the Cross at Calvary.
During Jesus life he learned of, and completely surrendered to, his Father God’s plan for him to lay down his life. Through his amazing love for, and obedience to his Father, mankind would be given the opportunity to be adopted as sons, receive forgiveness of sins & the gift of the Holy Spirit, and join His family, the Kingdom of God on earth.
Jesus awoke and lived each day of his life knowing he would one day experience the excruciating physical pain of his own death on the Cross, all while suffering the immeasurable anguish over being separated from his Father, who is without sin.
Personal Story
For some time now, my wife Debbie and I have experienced the challenges of living with my chronic illness and diminishing health (Click here for more). At the same time sharing the joy and the heartache our fellow brothers and sisters experience as we like them, seek to raise our children in the instruction of the Lord and build a family that’s pleasing to God, all while living in this fallen world.
The Lord has used the above circumstances and more to focus my heart and mind on how Jesus lived his life. Living his life in obedience to his Father all while knowing he would one day be lead to Calvary where he would be crucified on the Cross. This while suffering the unimaginable anguish of being separated from his Father. Jesus paid the price in full for all of my sins, and all of your sins. This has caused me to examine how I spend my time, my very life.
I still recall what I said to Debbie one day in late 2012, when faced with a new diagnosis which would further diminish my energy level, thus impact Debbie, our children and close friends. In what was part sharing a burden, part conviction and part bonding moment with my wife I exclaimed; ‘How shall we live?’ i.e.: How do we go on? Where do we run too?
Debbie and I knew the answer. For we had each answered the question at our Baptism’s in 1990. For in the question was the answer: Jesus is Lord!
I thank you Jesus for spending your life on behalf of your Father's children. Living and dying in such a way as to leave an example worth following.
Life Application
Webster’s definition of the word suffer includes: to endure death, pain, or distress.
1. Think of someone who has suffered with or for you in your life. What were the circumstances, and how did you feel about their willingness to get involved in your life?
2. Have you ever endured pain, or distress with or for another? Why did you do so? How did it feel to participate in another’s pain?
3. What steps will you take today toward following more closely Jesus’ example of suffering with or for others?
The son of God resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Where he knew he would be betrayed by his disciple Judas; arrested by his fellow Jews; disowned by his disciple Peter; and as an innocent man crucified by the Roman government on the Cross at Calvary.
During Jesus life he learned of, and completely surrendered to, his Father God’s plan for him to lay down his life. Through his amazing love for, and obedience to his Father, mankind would be given the opportunity to be adopted as sons, receive forgiveness of sins & the gift of the Holy Spirit, and join His family, the Kingdom of God on earth.
Jesus awoke and lived each day of his life knowing he would one day experience the excruciating physical pain of his own death on the Cross, all while suffering the immeasurable anguish over being separated from his Father, who is without sin.
Personal Story
For some time now, my wife Debbie and I have experienced the challenges of living with my chronic illness and diminishing health (Click here for more). At the same time sharing the joy and the heartache our fellow brothers and sisters experience as we like them, seek to raise our children in the instruction of the Lord and build a family that’s pleasing to God, all while living in this fallen world.
The Lord has used the above circumstances and more to focus my heart and mind on how Jesus lived his life. Living his life in obedience to his Father all while knowing he would one day be lead to Calvary where he would be crucified on the Cross. This while suffering the unimaginable anguish of being separated from his Father. Jesus paid the price in full for all of my sins, and all of your sins. This has caused me to examine how I spend my time, my very life.
I still recall what I said to Debbie one day in late 2012, when faced with a new diagnosis which would further diminish my energy level, thus impact Debbie, our children and close friends. In what was part sharing a burden, part conviction and part bonding moment with my wife I exclaimed; ‘How shall we live?’ i.e.: How do we go on? Where do we run too?
Debbie and I knew the answer. For we had each answered the question at our Baptism’s in 1990. For in the question was the answer: Jesus is Lord!
I thank you Jesus for spending your life on behalf of your Father's children. Living and dying in such a way as to leave an example worth following.
Life Application
Webster’s definition of the word suffer includes: to endure death, pain, or distress.
1. Think of someone who has suffered with or for you in your life. What were the circumstances, and how did you feel about their willingness to get involved in your life?
2. Have you ever endured pain, or distress with or for another? Why did you do so? How did it feel to participate in another’s pain?
3. What steps will you take today toward following more closely Jesus’ example of suffering with or for others?