No Pain, No Gain, NO Reason to Live! Why Do We Live?

“‘My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.’ Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, ‘So, couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ He went away a second time and prayed,‘My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done.’ ”(Matthew 26:38-42 NET)

Recalling the movie, The Passion (Mel Gibson) and how Jesus was in agony in the garden prior to His arrest, I reflect upon the image of Satan right there, still plotting to thwart God’s plan to redeem man’s soul . . .my soul . . . your soul! Satan tried to convince Jesus that we were not worth His efforts and that no one man could possibly save all of man. Oh but my Jesus, He slammed His foot upon the serpent, bringing to mind the verse (Genesis 3:15) “…he will crush your head…” Satan was about to receive a crushing blow; the victory over death through the shed blood of Christ upon the cross. The emotional pain leading up to the cross must have wracked Jesus'soul, yet in no way would it compare to the physical pain leading up to and including the crucifixion. It was all for you and for me.

Thank you Jesus!

There is a familiar saying in the gym: “NO PAIN, NO GAIN”. Without the pain of the cross there is no gain of salvation. There had to be the pain to atone for the sin. There had to bloodshed!

“Indeed according to the law almost everything was purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”(Hebrews 9:22)

His PAIN (beatings, scourging, spitting, curses, and the crucifixion) was our GAIN. His sacrifice was our freedom. We owe everything we are to Christ. No one could ever do what He did. All of our work is simple rubbish before a holy God. How deep and wide is the love of God for us for Him to allow Jesus to do all he did! He did it for Peter, who promised to follow Jesus through anything, yet denied Him three times in one night. He did it for the Jewish people and all who cried out “crucify Him!” He did it for the thief hanging next to Him on the cross. He did it for me. He did it for you! Why does He love us so? Jesus cried out while on the cross,

“‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27:46)

Then He sighed,

"‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30)

The work of Christ was complete. He had received all the sin of every person to live upon this earth. He felt the painful separation from His Father. The Old Testament sacrificial laws were now obsolete. His obedience to God the Father’s will was complete and perfect. The sacrifice had been made. The temple curtain was torn in two making the way clear to the Father. No more atonement was needed. No more rituals. The way of redemption had been paved! One person: Jesus, the only begotten of the Father, out of love for man and obedience to the Father, took on flesh (John 3:3)and became sin for us. No greater love would ever be established than for Jesus Christ to lay down His life for each of us. Never doubt His love! At the foot of the cross, as we look up and gaze upon our Savior, His outstretched arms show the width and depth of His love. I wonder what our pain . . . our sacrifice . . . our commitment . . .our obedience can lead to? How many will we be able to lead to the Savior? One life . . . our life . . .lived within another Holy Week?

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.(John 14:12-14)