Read Matthew 27-28
During this lent season, let us all learn to love, pray and forgive those who persecute us. Even after the lent season, we should maintain what we have learned and keep persevering to be a good example of God’s love and forgiveness. When it seems like the world is out to get you, when it seems like no one is on your side, when it seems like even your close friends and family have turned their backs on you, you know that God still cares about you and for you. He proved it. He was not only willing to die for you; he actually did! You won’t find another person in this world who loves and cares for you that much! God is love and his love is unconditional. He didn’t love us because we are love-able or perfect. God loves us because HE is love. He sacrificed his one and only son to die on the cross for our sins. The crucifixion of Jesus is precious, but he can’t be precious to you, if you think he is dead.
The resurrection of Jesus is just as crucial as the crucifixion of Jesus. Matthew 28:6 says “The Angel said to Mary and the others ‘He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying.’” There is a great reason for following Jesus. He cannot fail. Sin, death, hell, evil or Satan cannot defeat his purposes. He will win! That is a good reason to trust him and follow him. After three days, Jesus rose from the dead. The resurrection defeated sin. Believing that Jesus rose from the dead, as the Lord of the Universe, with all authority in heaven and on earth, then believing and following Jesus as our Lord is the most important, urgent and crucial thing in our life. This is why Jesus came, was crucified and rose from the dead with all authority and promised to be with us to the end of the age - to create a people whose sins are forgiven, and whose hearts are full of the love of God, and who are so reassured by Christ, that they spend their lives with risk, sacrifice and love to help others know and enjoy the greatness of Christ forever and ever. Is this not what you were made for? Is this not something that you think is worthy of full acceptance?
- Christina Raju
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28: 18-20Today’s lent devotional covers Matthew ch. 27 and 28. Matthew 27 begins with the decision to crucify Jesus. In this chapter, we can see that Jesus was beaten, stripped, humiliated and crucified. Jesus went through a very painful death. Jesus did not only die on the cross, but sin died with him and when he rose again is when repentance and forgiveness began. Even when he was tormented, he prayed for the people who crucified him. That is a perfect example of pure love and forgiveness. The beauty in pain is that, even if we suffer for a certain amount of time, there is always a prize waiting at the end. With pain comes gain. Our relationship with God is what makes us complete. His purpose was fulfilled by dying on the cross for us. Whatever our purpose is, no matter how painful it might be, are we ready to let God fulfill his purpose in our life?
During this lent season, let us all learn to love, pray and forgive those who persecute us. Even after the lent season, we should maintain what we have learned and keep persevering to be a good example of God’s love and forgiveness. When it seems like the world is out to get you, when it seems like no one is on your side, when it seems like even your close friends and family have turned their backs on you, you know that God still cares about you and for you. He proved it. He was not only willing to die for you; he actually did! You won’t find another person in this world who loves and cares for you that much! God is love and his love is unconditional. He didn’t love us because we are love-able or perfect. God loves us because HE is love. He sacrificed his one and only son to die on the cross for our sins. The crucifixion of Jesus is precious, but he can’t be precious to you, if you think he is dead.
The resurrection of Jesus is just as crucial as the crucifixion of Jesus. Matthew 28:6 says “The Angel said to Mary and the others ‘He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying.’” There is a great reason for following Jesus. He cannot fail. Sin, death, hell, evil or Satan cannot defeat his purposes. He will win! That is a good reason to trust him and follow him. After three days, Jesus rose from the dead. The resurrection defeated sin. Believing that Jesus rose from the dead, as the Lord of the Universe, with all authority in heaven and on earth, then believing and following Jesus as our Lord is the most important, urgent and crucial thing in our life. This is why Jesus came, was crucified and rose from the dead with all authority and promised to be with us to the end of the age - to create a people whose sins are forgiven, and whose hearts are full of the love of God, and who are so reassured by Christ, that they spend their lives with risk, sacrifice and love to help others know and enjoy the greatness of Christ forever and ever. Is this not what you were made for? Is this not something that you think is worthy of full acceptance?
- Christina Raju
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