Saturday, May 9
Save yourself!
Scripture: 2 Samuel 18, Psalm 56, Matthew 27
Matthew 27:41–42 The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus. 42 “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!”
Observation
Don’t miss the irony of the Jewish leader’s mockery of Jesus. They scoffed, “He saved others but He can’t save Himself.”
Could Jesus have saved Himself? Of course. At one point, He told the disciples that He could ask God for legions of angels and they would come to defend and deliver Him. He could have saved Himself.
But that would have been a denial of His whole purpose in coming. He didn’t come to save Himself, but save us. And the only way to save us was to give up His own life.
Jesus had to choose between saving Himself or saving us—and He chose us.
Application
Every Christian is called to take up his cross and follow Jesus. We are called to make a similar choice: save yourself or save others? Keep your life or give it away for others?
This jumped out at me this morning because I hear more and more people complaining that this stay-at-home order violates our constitutional rights. The government can’t forbid peaceful assembly, or freedom of religion or speech. I understand the argument—and I’m grateful for our freedoms, as we all should be.
But this isn’t about our constitutional rights; it’s about saving lives. And sacrifices have to be made to do that. As a follower of Jesus, I should be like Him, more concerned about saving others than myself. I should be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of others, including temporarily sacrificing some of my rights. And as an American, I was taught that my right to swing my fist ends at the tip of your nose! In other words, if the exercise of my rights results in harm to you, then I willingly restrict my rights.
Like everyone else, I’m tired of the lockdown and ready for things to open up. And I think that based on the data where we live, we could proceed more quickly (albeit cautiously) than the governor’s guidelines. I hope we do. And I think one can argue some of the details of our governor’s plan. We need to do everything we can not only to save lives from disease, but to save individuals and families from bankruptcy, poverty and economic collapse.
But this disease has killed over 77,000 of our fellow citizens in two months—roughly double what the flu kills in a full season. And, that is with most of us on lockdown for those two months! If we had all been out and about, the fatalities would be much higher.
The great flu pandemic of 1918-19 that killed between 50-100 million people worldwide was relatively mild in the spring of 1918, but that fall, it roared back in a second far more deadly wave. That’s what our public health officials fear.
Jesus didn’t argue for His rights before Pilate. He didn’t try to save Himself. He willingly went to the cross to save us—not Himself. Followers of Jesus do the same. We don’t argue for our rights. We offer our lives to save others.
So argue for a lifting of the restrictions based on the data and science—but don’t do it based on our constitutional liberties. That misses the point. Especially for Christians.
Prayer: Lord, I am humbled that You chose us over yourself. Help me to take up my cross and live as selflessly as You.
Help me to take up my cross to live or die as selflessly as You did for us all.
Well said!!!! Thank you 🙏🏼
Thank you pastor Joe. I hope we as Americans and more so as Christians can put others above our desires.
Thank you for the wise and Christ-like perspective.
Well said, Joe. Thanks.
Great message, thank you.
Joe I understand what you are saying, and agree. I am surprise at how many Christians are complaining about their rights. Their complaints are about not able to go to restaurants, take road trips, shop etc, not considering the health of others. We will do those things again, but as for me, my health is important. Thanks for your input
Well said, Pastor Joe!
1000 percent agree with you! I will do my part to save others lives. And I pray that we all can be patient enough to do that!
Very well said, thank you for this message.
Thank you for saying things so well.
Pastor Joe,
Thank you so very much for your thoughtful insight into this challenging time in our lives. You put voice to how I am feeling. We all have to remember that we can save lives by our sacrifices. I am so very grateful for all the church leaders at Life Center. I’m proud to be an “owner.” Blessings.
Amen, very well said and a needed perspective. Thank you for your measured response and love for Christ!
Amen! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and God’s words with us. Makes so much sense.
Spot on!
I really needed to hear this today. As someone who lives alone, this stay-at-home order has been especially difficult for me. I don’t have family in close proximity and spending Mother’s Day alone just brought me to a new emotional low. Your message reminded me that I need to love others more, and realize this order is for the greater good of humanity (not about me).
Thank you Pastor Joe!
We at Life Center are so blessed to have men and women of God leading us. I think the Lord every day for this gift. And thank you Joe for your daily insight and encouragement.