...[H]e died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 2 Corinthians 5:15
I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #32: To Enable Us to Live for Christ and Not Ourselves. In today's devotion, Piper unpacks a truth that he says troubles some - that "Christ died to exalt himself." Some may view this as vanity but Piper dispels this thought. To unpack this truth, the devotion first shares that "[t]he very essence of sin is that we have failed to glorify God—which includes failing to glorify his Son (Romans 3:23). But Christ died to bear that sin and to free us from it. So he died to bear the dishonor that we had heaped on him by our sin. He died to turn this around. Christ died for the glory of Christ." The devotion then continues by sharing that Christ's death on the cross should be viewed as "the supreme act of love." As such, it is both an act to exalt Himself and to show His love for this He seeks to save. Piper then shares: "Christ is unique. No one else can act this way and call it love. Christ is the only human in the universe who is also God and therefore infinitely valuable. He is infinitely beautiful in all his moral perfections. He is infinitely wise and just and good and strong....To see him and know him is more satisfying than having all that earth can offer." See also Hebrews 1:3. Paul describes this in Philippians 3:7-8. When scripture states that "we might live for Him," Piper emphasizes that God does not need our help - see Acts 17:25 and Mark 10:45 - "[w]hat Christ died for is not that we might help him, but that we might see and savor him as infinitely valuable. He died to wean us from poisonous pleasures and enthrall us with the pleasures of his beauty. In this way we are loved, and he is honored. These are not competing aims. They are one." The devotion concludes by pointing us to John 16:7, 14 and John 17:24, which describe how (1) Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help believers glorify Him, and the Holy Spirit is the "greatest help in the world" and another act of love and (2) how Christ's love for us is so great for us that He prayed that those who have faith in Him would join Him in Heaven. Rejoice in Him who loves us so much that He died for us and gave us help to glorify Him (we exist to glorify Him) and to give us "everlasting enjoyment."
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My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God that gives us Your Son and the Holy Spirit so that we can enjoy You now as infinitely valuable and for eternity with You. Incredible - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of my salvation nor the blessings You provide for such everlasting enjoyment. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
