Live the same way Jesus died (Pt.1)

(Part 1)

“But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.”-Luke 22:47-51

I was listening to a preacher several weeks ago, who made a statement that has captivated me since. He said the we should live the same way Jesus died. I have given that a lot of thought lately, because it is very noble to die like Jesus died. In fact, many around the world lay down their lives for the gospel everyday and although they may not be crucified on a cross, they are martyrs, nonetheless, for the gospel of Christ. 

It is fitting, as believers, too, that we live as Jesus lived. We should daily strive to walk in righteousness, proclaim the Good News, care for those in need, and make disciples. However, we cannot fully appreciate or experience the life that He lived, until we live the way He died.

You might ask them, why are we studying this passage about Jesus healing a man’s ear? Jesus and his disciples had just enjoyed Passover together and a long night of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had labored in prayer all night as He laid down His will for the Father’s will in anticipation of His own crucifixion. 

When the armed men show up to take Jesus, Peter, in his zeal, cut off a man’s ear in an attempt to protect Jesus from being arrested. Jesus, then, in his last miracle before His crucifixion heal the man’s ear in one final act of restoration. Although it was a bonafide miracle, it was not His mightiest miracle by far. In fact, on the scale of miracles He performed, it doesn’t even make the top ten. Yet, even with its low ranking among miracles, it was still a miracle nonetheless. Something not person standing there that day could have accomplished. It was a final witness to the power, authority, and identity of Jesus. 

It was also a turning point. Jesus from this moment until He emerges from the grace, would not gather a crowd to teach them as He had previously done, He would not heal the sick, nor would he do any other miracles. However, what we learn from Him during this time could revolutionize our life. The idea that we should live in the same way Jesus died originated with Jesus: 

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”-Matthew 16:24

Following Jesus with a cross on your shoulder is the perfect imagery for a person living as Christ died. When we choose to live as Christ lived we are saying that we want to de the thing that Christ did; which there is nothing wrong with. Jesus said in John 14:12: “I tell youth truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and ever greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 

However, hen we live like Christ died, it means that we want to respond to things they way that Christ responded. 

Pastor Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church