Something from the sermon this morning that just really jumped up and bit me in the derriere.
...and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked Him, saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God; let God deliver Him now, if He desires Him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " --Matthew 27:40-43
Jesus being mocked by the most prominent and elite members of Jerusalem's society and religious establishment was a big deal back then. They laughed at Him for His claims because He didn't fit in with their ideas.
Dr. Golden said this of this passage: "Jesus, why don't You become what we think You should be and fit into our definition of what the Son of God is?"
Jesus could have saved Himself. But then He couldn't have saved us. The temple leaders couldn't understand sacrifice even though they had undoubtedly performed many sacrifices themselves. It was self-sacrifice that escaped them.
They imagined a warrior Messiah, a battle-ready king, a powerful military commander with armies at his disposal. One day they will see that wish fulfilled, but this wasn't the time. Jesus came to die in shame. He will return to triumph in glory.
How often do we re-define the Son of God? How many times do we ask Him to become something we want instead of what we need? Do we honestly see Him for who truly is, or do we purposely skew our vision of Him so that He will fit into our plans and desires? Do you really worship God or is He your "genie-in-a-bottle" (sing-along now)?
We want our lives to be what we think they should be. We make our plans and ask God to join in and bless them. That's not a surrendered life. That's not dying to self. And then we get all torqued out when our plans don't work out and ask God why He didn't comply. How often do you think God's response is, "I didn't tell you to do that in the first place! You wanted it, not Me!"
He promises to bless us abundantly. He promises to take care of us and make our joy complete. Why don't we just let Him?
Happy Monday! (if there is such a thing)
