Christ Died For Us

Romans 5:6-8 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We are at the cusp of Easter. We start with Palm Sunday, then the Seder Meal on Wednesday, Maundy Thursday followed by the always humbling Good Friday service. For the first time in quite a few years, I will be in worship and not serving in these services. I am yearning for the experience again. There is a distinct difference between serving and worshipping. In serving there is a focus in what you are doing. You are making sure something happens, when it is supposed to happen and in the manner it is supposed to happen. While serving is a form of worship, it is just not the same as being in worship. By being in worship I mean you can let the music flow into and surround you. The words of the Old Testament and New Testament readings can wash over you just like a wave on the seashore. You can can absorb the full message of the scriptures chosen for that day. You can thoughtfully consider the full meaning of the message carefully and lovingly prepared by the Pastor. You can greet others and sincerely ask how they are doing. And most importantly you can fully consider Romans 5:6-8. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. That friends, is the biggest point to ponder. Someone had to die because of the sins of you and I. Jesus died. He was the sacrificial lamb offered up for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus, Son of God, lived a sinless life. And for that, He willingly paid the full price of death on the cross so that we could be saved. I find that quite humbling. There is no small sense of guilt in considering the full ramification of that. It is guilt that should not remain as an anchor to keep one depressed. It is the guilt that lends gravity to the situation which makes His sacrifice really count in our hearts. When someone tries to trivialize that sacrifice, we should stand up and correct that misconception. Jesus told His disciples on more than one occasion that he would be killed by the chief priest and teachers of the law. He told the disciples after three days He would return. AND HE DID ALL OF THAT! That is why we put our hearts and souls into each and every worship opportunity. Jesus lived, died, and came back for you and I. That is not some abstract principle or theorem bantered about in a physics lab. That’s a fact Jack! We show honor to God our Father, the Son and Holy Spirit in our worship. Placing ourselves fully into that worship is important. The music has a message. The scripture has a message. The sermon has a message. Messages that are for all of us. They are not mere words. They are heartfelt expressions of praise offered up to a loving God in Heaven. We need to immerse ourselves in that worship to fully grasp what the message is because that message is important. I am so very thankful for the opportunity to be in worship again. I hope you feel the same about your worship opportunities.

PRAYER: Almighty God, thank you for the opportunity to worship You. Thank you for the country that allows us to worship the one true God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thank you for the Son that is our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen