Aren’t We Lucky? by John Smith, edited for space
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Aren’t we lucky that...
It wasn’t too hot or too cold for Jesus to carry His cross to Calvary?
Unexpected company or family didn’t show up so Jesus couldn’t keep His appointment with death and sacrifice for our sins?
Jesus didn’t have some other plans for the weekend during which he died?
The events of the week didn’t leave Jesus too tired to meet with disciples on Thursday evening and then travel on to rendezvous with the executioner?
Jesus was experiencing good health so that he didn’t excuse Himself from service?
Heaven’s throne is comfortable so Jesus doesn’t tire of sitting there interceding?
Jesus’ favorite civic club or hobby didn’t have an activity planned that would keep him from praying in the garden, standing trial, or taking our punishment?
The commitment of Jesus was greater than many of those that follow Him today?
Honestly folks, aren’t most of our excuses for not attending services pretty lame? Don’t most of them manifest a selfish attitude? Would we really feel comfortable standing at the foot of the cross and telling these excuses to the Savior as He gasped for breath? When we excuse ourselves from other activities of the local church, whether that be the studies during a Gospel Meeting, a Friday night singing or Bible study, or opening our home to a visiting preacher or other guests, do we exhibit a lack of commitment and willingness to sacrifice for the Lord?
Yes, we are indeed lucky that the love of Jesus is greater than our love for Him, that His patience is more enduring than ours, that His dedication to selfless service is more intense than ours, that His willingness to pay the price of service and sacrifice is more profound than ours.
If indeed we are the disciples (followers and imitators) of Jesus, then we should be striving for greater service, deeper sacrifice, and more abounding work. Jesus did not live His earthly existence according to some minimum standard of service. Instead, He always went an extra mile and sought to do all than He could do. To challenge our thinking, humble our estimation of ourselves, and admonish us to greater things, consider: “So you too, when you do all things which are commanded of you, say, “We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done." " Luke 17:10. We ARE lucky, but do we love, live, and work like it?