Jesus Did This For You

When did you last do something special for another that was way below your pay grade? Jesus washed by hand His disciples' dirty feet. The King of the universe came to serve the citizens and the citizens-to-be of His kingdom. Jesus did this for you.

When did you last give food and water to people who were starving and thirsty?  Jesus fed thousands with the very little He had. The Bread and Water of life came to nourish those who were spiritually hungry and dry. Jesus did this for you.

When did you last comfort another or others who were hurting either emotionally or physically?  Jesus healed the untouchable by touching them. Jesus wept with the broken hearted. Jesus extended hope to the hopeless. Jesus did this for you.

When did you last make peace with someone you disagree or even quarrel with? Jesus attempted to make peace with everyone, although not all would accept it. He loved even His enemies. And He never stopped. For as long as the door is left open, peace with even those who sow discord is possible. Jesus did this for you.

When did you last invest concentrated time and energy in getting to really know others? Jesus not only lived the life we live so He can "get us," He spent and spends such even now. He's always available. He's always listening. He's always ready to help. God's Grace is without limit, and it's all ours...if we accept and use it. Jesus did this for you.

When was the last time you really forgave someone who did you wrong? Jesus forgave all of us, once for all, and all we have to do is apologize and receive it. You already know how hard it is to forgive someone who does not think they did anything wrong, or even that what they did hurt you. Jesus did this for you.

When was the last time you took the time to lovingly instruct someone who would greatly benefit from whatever you had to say? Jesus took this time. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to deal with racism, how to handle the abuse of power, even how to manage finances. He even showed us how to respond to persecution. Jesus did this for you.

When was the last time you left someone with great advice that you knew would serve them and be the inspiration they would need to live a good and godly life? Jesus gave us His Holy Spirit to live in us and to be available to us any time we needed. Jesus did this for you.

When was the last time you sacrificed at great price for someone because they needed great grace and mercy in their life? Was it time, talent or energy? Was it a prized possession, valued item, or even the shirt off your own back, or shoes off your feet? Jesus paid the ultimate price...but not straightaway or easily. He took the blame for something He did not do. He suffered at the end of many a whip's lash. He bled before the world all the way down the road to even more suffering. He took nails in each wrist, and at least one through His feet. He hung naked on a cross like the worst of the worst of all criminals. And then He died after forgiving all those who murdered Him. Jesus did this for you

Jesus became nothing, so we could be something. Without Him, in eternity, we are as good as nothing.

Jesus loved us to the last drop of blood in His body, knowing our sinfulness, even before we knew of it. He loved us first so we could love others and Him.

Think about it. God the Father gave us His Son to die for us so we wouldn't have to. Jesus the Son of God willingly gave of His life so we could be forgiven and be able to spend eternity in Heaven. And the Holy Spirit to this day gives us His presence in everyone who accepts the free gift of salvation, to help them live out their lives in nothing but love.

Did anything you just read about what Jesus did for you, without asking you, without the assurance you would even accept it, hit a heart strong? Did even a tear fall from your eyes?  Jesus did that for you too, when He wept for those who would not be so moved by His act of love.

Did you feel any conviction in your heart that motivates you to love others more...like Jesus did, and still does? He is the model for how it is to be done. He taught us many lessons on the same subject to apply in our lives.

Jesus did this all for us. Is there any part of you that gratefully wants to do it all for Him? There's no day like today. There's no time like this very moment. And there's no other person worthy of our all...even, if need be, our very last drop.
 

John 15:12