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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.”

January 1, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Faith and God’s Love

Faith and God’s Love

God commands me to love the Lord with all my heart, soul and strength. You know what? He has given his heart, soul and strength for me.

That’s a powerful thought as we start the new year. It’s a powerful reality.

Picture Jesus on the cross. He’s giving his heart and soul for us. He’s giving all his strength for us. He’s giving himself 100% for us. That’s a picture of what He is continually doing today. I doubt I’ll be asked to love God to the extent that He loved me on the cross . . . and unconditionally loves me today with all his heart, soul and strength. 

That’s a God I can put my faith in. I can fully trust this God with my life. I should have no fear. No anxiety. No worry. No uncertainty. I should be able to rest in knowing that I’m safe in the hands of this God of love. There is no safer place. It’s a fact whether I believe it or not.  He demonstrated his great, full-heart love and I can go back and read about it day after day. 

This love is my refuge, as David proclaimed. He knew God’s Love. Look at all the Psalms that state it over and over again. Study them and know the love of God as David did. Immerse yourself in the love of God, the same love that was so fully expressed on the cross.

David did not know the cross but he knew the love of God. This came by spending time with the Lord and turning his heart over to him. He poured out his heart and soul to God. He knew the command to love the Lord with all his heart, soul and strength. He had a reciprocal relationship with God who expressed his love to David.

David was a man after God’s own heart. He chose to be and to live that way.

Where does that leave you?  You know a God who has given himself 100% for you and you’re called to give yourself 100% to him. To fully trust him, believe him, walk with him, step out for him, serve him.

This is what is means to have complete faith in your loving God. Jesus sacrificed himself and loved you on the cross with all his heart, soul and strength.  He has done for you what he asks you to do for him. He has left you with a clear picture of his love. And that love continues today.

(From my new devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Faith).

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