Whom Do You Seek - EasterSample

I once went through a bad breakup. Breakups are the worst — especially if you’re the one being broken up with! Someone you cared for and shared memories with has walked away. During this time, one of my best friends came to comfort me. He pointed at his three year old son and said, “Could you imagine me killing my son for you? There’s no way I’d do that! But that’s what God did. He killed His Son for you! That is how much He loves you. You are loved greatly.”

It’s a strange example, but it reminded me of how great Jesus’ love was in His crucifixion.

Imagine how Jesus suffered! He was mocked as He died, soldiers offered Him vinegar, and His hands and feet in pain as He hung on the cross. He endured this for you and me. He endured for those who “do not know what they’re doing”. What precious and beautiful love He has for us!

Two thieves hung on either side of Jesus, and they remind us of the different ways we can respond to Jesus’ love. One of the thieves chose fear over faith. He demanded Jesus meet his needs. But the other thief came humbly, recognising that he had fallen short in sin and placed his faith in Jesus.

Everyday we face situations that are opportunities to respond like the two thieves. When we are wronged do we seek revenge or do we choose to forgive and seek reconciliation? Do we boast about our successes or do we acknowledge the work of others and seek to lift them up?

The hymn, The Old Rugged Cross, has a refrain that reminds us to be like the second thief and follow in Jesus’ example:

“So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.”

Today, ponder this: What do you need to lay down before Jesus at the foot of the cross? Think of His love and grace for you and consider how you can reflect this in the choices you make, in your interactions with others, and in the situations you encounter today.