Lenten devotionals from our DS's wife Robbie Craker

Day #7

Let’s not forget that all we need to know about God is shown to us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Do you remember that the Disciple Thomas said to Jesus, “show us the Father and it will be enough?” What did Jesus do? He said, “Look at me and you have seen the Father.”

What did Jesus look like? I don’t believe Jesus meant His physical appearance. He meant, “look at my actions, behaviors, life-style.” And what were those actions, behaviors, and life-style? A constant laying down of His life in love and service – picking up His cross daily, dying to His desires – all the way to Golgotha.

It’s our nature to want to focus on the majesty, might, and power of God. We look for God to manifest Himself in miracles, victories, blessings, power, and exhilarating worship experiences. But Jesus says, “Look at me and you’ve seen the Father.”

What do we see? Jesus, walking the road to Jerusalem with His face set towards the cross, eating with sinners, touching the untouchable, choosing those despised by society to be His disciples – setting aside His heavenly glory for the shame of the cross. The cross became His glory.

Matthew 16:21-27 (The Message)

You're Not in the Driver's Seat

Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, "Impossible, Master! That can never be!"

But Jesus didn't swerve. "Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works."

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

Father, forgive us for wanting only your blessing and forgetting your call to die to ourselves. You have blessed us in so many ways and we thank you. Today, we want to seek Your way – the way of the cross. Amen