Worthy: 5 Days to the ResurrectionCampione

Day 2 - Crucify Jesus came to save. This means Jesus came to die. When we reflect on the life that Jesus lived here with us, it’s easy to see how He could be considered a role model for loving your neighbor, showing compassion for the poor and afflicted, and for many other things. Jesus certainly is a role model that we are to follow. We are to pattern our lives after the virtues He displayed. Part of what God is doing in every Christian is conforming them to the image of Jesus. If we’re not careful, we’ll miss the forest for the trees. All of that is secondary to Jesus’ mission. Jesus came to die. It’s His death that makes the change in our lives possible. His death pays the penalty for our sins and reconciles us back to God. And it’s in that reconciliation that God begins making us more like Jesus. But it all hinges on His restoring us to peace with God. In our reading today, we see that the death of Christ was not the result of any man’s power over Him. He was not a victim of these events. He voluntarily took on flesh. Christ lived a perfect life in our place. And He chose to die a sinners death in our place. The cross was the plan God predetermined. For reflection: Robert Murray McCheyne once said, “For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ.” I would take it even further and say, take a look at the cross of Christ. The Bible is clear that the cross is our only hope of peace with God. It is also clear that the greatest expression of God’s love for us is found through the cross of Christ. Whatever state you find yourself in today, look to the cross. If you have joy, rejoice in the cross more than your circumstances. If you are downtrodden, look to the cross and see God’s tender love for you there. If you are guilty and ashamed, look to the cross in repentance and find full pardon there. Memoir and Remains of the Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne [(Edinburgh, 1894), 293]