Live the same way Jesus died (Pt.2)

(Part 2 of 3) 

“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 do the things 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, when we choose to live like Christ died, it means that we want to respond to things they way that Christ responded. 

How do we live as Jesus died? It begins with humilty. In Acts 8:32, Luke writes: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.” Although, Jesus, had every right to protest His treatment, He chose to remain silent before His accusers. Passages like Luke 19:3 and John 23:39 describe for us how the religious leaders, soldiers and even the criminals hanging on crosses next to Jesus maligned Him and scoffed at Him. Yet, He chose to remain silent; to humble Himself. He could have spoke out. He could have opened His mouth. 

There are times that we should speak up for sure, but there is a price that is paid if we are not careful how we weigh our words. Our righteous anger comes off as obnoxious or indignant and we jeopardize our witness to the very people we are trying to see come to Christ. Jesus could have set the record straight. Exposed every heart that was surrounding Him that day, nevertheless He responded with humility. He did not see His liberty as important as the people’s salvation. 

He, also, demonstrated meekness:

“He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! So he is the King of Israel, is he? Let him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in him! He trusted God, so let God rescue him now if he wants him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”-Matthew 27:42-43

This moment, in my mind, is one of the most beautiful responses that you will read in Scripture. When Jesus had every right and the power to come off the cross, He chose to constrain that power for our benefit. 

Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is constrained power. He could have called a legion of angels to come take Him down that day, but chose to constrain that power for our benefit. He could have avoided the entire process from the arrest, to the beating, scourging and crucifixion, but chose to constrain His power to fulfill God’s mission to seek and save the lost. 

Pastor Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church