November 3, 2024 - How to Experience the Best Out of Life

Be prepared for a shock. What we may think is the best life may be disastrous. Conversely, many may think a life of self-giving, done for the right reasons, is generally the most rewarding and fulfilling life possible. The most joyful people focus not on themselves but on a cause or person greater than themselves. Consider the irony that the greatest symbol of Christianity is the cross, which speaks of glory and victory. Yet, the cross was a tool of punishment and extreme torture and death at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. The cross represented the most shameful and despised symbol of rejection and suffering. So, what brought about that change? The death of Jesus and what it accomplished on behalf of humanity to bring about victory over sin, death, and judgment. This amazing self-giving by Jesus has transformed the cross into one of hope and deliverance. In the conclusion of John 19, we discover how, for the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame, and the result is his exaltation. Even as Jesus carried the cross, we must also ‘take up our cross.’ Mark 8:34 Then he called the crowd along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.               What does it mean to take up our cross? We see that Jesus took up ‘his cross,’ and the result was the greatest provision in the universe, both for creation and the human family. Jesus explains that we also need to follow him in this area of our lives, and he continues by describing what it means. Mark 8:35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. Even as Jesus willingly gave up his life for us, we must also be willing to give up our lives by serving Jesus’ will and agenda. In the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus, we discover the pattern that produces life for ourselves and others.