Tonight, I have to tell you that I am feeling so convicted! Several months ago, I watched Mel Gibson's, The Passion of the Christ, again. I saw this very realistic film in the theater when it was first released. I wept through the entire movie. Horrific scenes from the movie have flashed before my eyes several times over the past few days. It all began when I gave blood earlier this week.
I was sitting in the air conditioned bloodmobile on a cushioned "bed" with a needle in my arm experiencing no pain as I voluntarily gave my blood that will hopefully save someone's life down the road. I was watching one of the nurses carefully carry a bag of blood over to the counter when the thought came to my mind...I sure hope she doesn't drop all that blood. The nurse was very careful, deliberate, and methodical in her moves as she took the blood over to begin the storing process. Almost instantly, I heard this startling question, "How much more precious was the blood of my Son?"
The "whipping" scene was probably the most gruesome part to me because as Jesus lay on the ground, the once white floor was covered in blood. I began to think how desensitized we have become to the Crucifixion. Jesus was so near death at this point, I know only divine grace and His determination could have enabled Him to carry the cross on which He would surrender His life for me.
It made me think....how could I be so careless with His blood? The blood freely given, not in an air conditioned bus in a cushy seat with a nurse offering Him something to drink. His blood wasn't carefully bagged, preserved, and stored away in a neat, clean environment. Rather, Jesus suffered beyond human comprehension in order to save the lives of millions upon millions...to save you and me.
Every single time I face a temptation of any kind, I pray those images will flood my mind and I will think, Is this really worth another stripe on His back? Would I do this at the foot of the cross only to watch them pierce His side? How would I feel hearing the unbelievers mock our Lord and Savior as I take another drink, or have a lustful thought, or gossip about a scandalous affair? Would I participate in an adulterous affair or watch a movie that would blaspheme Him to His blood-stained face? Would I shoot up or have a long drag on a cigarette? What about backbiting and jealousy; wouldn't I be ashamed for Him to look down at me from the cross knowing his throat was parched from thirst and how heavy His arms must have felt as He hung there dying? How could I stand there knowing I had just gorged myself with enormous amounts of food or stabbed a fellow co-worker in the back to get a higer position because of a wicked greed for power and money? Could I look in those swollen eyes and tell Him I'm too busy to read His word or to spend time with Him daily? Or worse, do I not love Him enough to keep His Father's commandments--to walk out His plan for my life? Could I tell Him, "It's just too hard?"
Help me, Lord, to never become so desensitized to an image of your Son beaten so severely He was unrecognizable. Keep His suffering upon my heart so that I may never be so careless with His precious blood spilled just for one so unworthy as I.
1 John 1:7 "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin."
Psalm 119:133 "Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me."
I was sitting in the air conditioned bloodmobile on a cushioned "bed" with a needle in my arm experiencing no pain as I voluntarily gave my blood that will hopefully save someone's life down the road. I was watching one of the nurses carefully carry a bag of blood over to the counter when the thought came to my mind...I sure hope she doesn't drop all that blood. The nurse was very careful, deliberate, and methodical in her moves as she took the blood over to begin the storing process. Almost instantly, I heard this startling question, "How much more precious was the blood of my Son?"
The "whipping" scene was probably the most gruesome part to me because as Jesus lay on the ground, the once white floor was covered in blood. I began to think how desensitized we have become to the Crucifixion. Jesus was so near death at this point, I know only divine grace and His determination could have enabled Him to carry the cross on which He would surrender His life for me.
It made me think....how could I be so careless with His blood? The blood freely given, not in an air conditioned bus in a cushy seat with a nurse offering Him something to drink. His blood wasn't carefully bagged, preserved, and stored away in a neat, clean environment. Rather, Jesus suffered beyond human comprehension in order to save the lives of millions upon millions...to save you and me.
Every single time I face a temptation of any kind, I pray those images will flood my mind and I will think, Is this really worth another stripe on His back? Would I do this at the foot of the cross only to watch them pierce His side? How would I feel hearing the unbelievers mock our Lord and Savior as I take another drink, or have a lustful thought, or gossip about a scandalous affair? Would I participate in an adulterous affair or watch a movie that would blaspheme Him to His blood-stained face? Would I shoot up or have a long drag on a cigarette? What about backbiting and jealousy; wouldn't I be ashamed for Him to look down at me from the cross knowing his throat was parched from thirst and how heavy His arms must have felt as He hung there dying? How could I stand there knowing I had just gorged myself with enormous amounts of food or stabbed a fellow co-worker in the back to get a higer position because of a wicked greed for power and money? Could I look in those swollen eyes and tell Him I'm too busy to read His word or to spend time with Him daily? Or worse, do I not love Him enough to keep His Father's commandments--to walk out His plan for my life? Could I tell Him, "It's just too hard?"
Help me, Lord, to never become so desensitized to an image of your Son beaten so severely He was unrecognizable. Keep His suffering upon my heart so that I may never be so careless with His precious blood spilled just for one so unworthy as I.
1 John 1:7 "But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin."
Psalm 119:133 "Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no sin rule over me."
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