Month: June 2020

June 22, 2020 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Jesus to the Cross

Jesus to the Cross

I was running a 3-mile distance the other day. In my final mile, I felt the weariness, pain and intensity. The heat of the day had raised my body temperature, making it harder to keep pace. But I was 2/3 of the way to the finish line. My mind was focused on the end and I managed to speed up a little. I was motivated, in my pain, to make it and finish well.

In that final mile, Jesus’ journey to the cross came to my mind.

  • It was a painful journey, much more pain than I was feeling. Here’s what I was thinking as I ran that last mile:Jesus journeyed to the cross by choice. He did it for us. It was the path to the abolition of the power of sin, victory over the serpent—his road to the resurrection.
  • Even on the cross, he was the Almighty God. He was on his way to victory. He was winning, not losing. His family and followers at the foot of the cross could only see his physical suffering and death, so they wept and mourned. They had no idea he was conquering Satan as he hung on the cross.
  • The Jesus on the cross is a Jesus of infinite strength. He could have come down, but it took more strength to stay up there and complete the race. He took the sins of all mankind on himself and paid the penalty.

When an Olympic marathoner enters the stadium, taking the last lap, having given his all, often staggering across the finish line, what do we do? We look in awe. The crowd erupts in applause as the first runner enters the stadium, makes his final lap and breaks through the tape. While we’re pained by their pain, we honor them for their grueling accomplishment.

If Jesus were a mere man, he would have been helpless on the cross. But he was the Almighty God. Even on the cross, he was his full essence—King of kings, Lord of Lords, the Alpha and the Omega, Majesty. We should stand in awe.

I don’t think I’ll look at Christ on the cross the same way anymore. That run of mine changed my perspective.

The next time we consider Jesus crucified, let’s see beyond what we see with our eyes and consider the spiritual war that Jesus had won.

For he himself said, “It is finished.”

June 3, 2020 Jfuglerwriter 1 Comment

Where Does Christ Fit In? Where Do You Fit In?

If you have a pulse, you’ve been affected emotionally by what has gone on the past several days in our country. I can’t think of one positive emotion.

Anger. Fear. Heartache. Discouragement. Hopelessness. Uncertainty. Confusion. Just a few that come to mind.

Flooding the hearts and souls of believers and non-believers, these painful emotions are crushing.

This week, I’ve found it hard to concentrate when I read my Bible. I pray but my mind drifts. Can you relate?

When we see upheaval all day and night on the news, it dominates our thinking. From the initial, graphic videos of George Floyd to the destruction of our cities, the terror captures our hearts.

If our faith in Christ is to be real, now is the time. Our relationship with the Savior is tested in turmoil. Will we look like the world or look like Jesus? Will we take sides and shout? Or stand in the center, side-by-side with Jesus who offers hope, peace, love, grace and life-transformation?

We should be driven to our knees in prayer. A desperation that makes us cling to Jesus, not expressed in hostile thoughts, words or actions.

My life is dedicated to helping 1 million believers know the Christ of the cross.

Not knowing about. But knowing him intimately. It starts with me. How well do I really know my Savior? Crises like this make me ask that question. It’s easy to be a believer when everything is fine. But how about now, when the nation seems to be crumbling?

Am I seeking more news to feed a craving? Or am I so moved I cannot get enough of Jesus? I’m afraid I’m somewhere in between, and certainly not pursuing Christ like I should.

God is watching how we respond. First, how we respond to him. Then, how we respond to others. How do our conversations with the Lord go? And when we’re with friends and family, what do we say to them?

Two hours ago, a friend tweeted a verse that opened my eyes. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 NIV)

I have to admit, I’m not sure how well I am reflecting Christ. If my relationship with Jesus is deep, the evidence will be clear. The fruit of the Spirit will sprout for all to see. How much is evident in your life?

  • Love
  • Joy
  • Peace
  • Patience
  • Kindness
  • Goodness
  • Gentleness
  • Self-control

I can’t tell you how to live out your relationship with Christ in this upheaval, on the heels of the Coronavirus.

But I do know God has our attention and wants us to do business with him. Each one. Personally. And as a church.

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