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It was a shocking scene. There was blood everywhere, on the carpet,
on the steps and tracked up the walkway. The evidence seemed to
confirm that someone had died a violent death. As I surveyed the
site I felt uncomfortable and out of place. No one deserved the fate
the victim must have suffered. The fact that He HAD to die made me
take even more notice. I read the report that summarized the tragic
death of this innocent man.
“Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and
gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him
and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of
thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand
and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!"
they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on
the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off
the robe and put his own clothes on him, then they led him away to
crucify him.” (Matthew 27:27-31)
I looked back at the set that had been the scenery for our church’s
annual Passion Play. Our Easter portrayal of the life, death, burial
and resurrection of Christ had left a permanent impact on all who
witnessed it and all of us who participated. I admired all the men
and women in our church who helped make it a life-changing
experience. But the one who really touched me was Jesus, as I was
reminded that He died for every other person who would ever be
born. He died so that you might live for Him. As I picked up my
hammer and joined the others in dismantling the Upper Room, Golgotha
and the Tomb, I recommitted myself to live for Him more than I’ve
ever done before.
I see people often who choose to die a little in many areas of their
lives. Their choices cause their relationship with God to die a
little, they allow their hope and excitement for life to die a
little, they choose a career that is expedient rather than what they
really want to do for life and their enthusiasm and professionalism
die a little. In John 10:10 Jesus said, “The thief comes only to
steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and
have it to the full.” Jesus died for us that we might have eternal
life. He came that we might have life right now to the fullest! So,
choose life to the fullest; please don’t die!
Common Sense Application
1. To help you focus on your purpose in life
and how your gifts support it, read the Bible daily, starting with
the books of John, Romans, Psalms and Proverbs.
2. Start now to rekindle your relationship with
God by frequent prayer.
3. Analyze your life, including your habits, to
identify ruts you may be in and start making the quality choices
that will prevent you from dying a little in the ruts in your
life. Remember, a rut is just a grave with both ends knocked out of
it.
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