My Hero!

People who save others are quickly labeled "heroes". They are the people who run into burning buildings, rescue from a crashed vehicle seconds before explosion, jump into rushing waters, rescue from the side of a cliff, search through the cold or night until finding someone who is lost, perform a delicate surgery that saves a life, etc. Such people are often HONORED with medals or plaques, special ceremonies, accolades, or innumerable "thank you"s. Saving others is a noble action and when acknowledged, the natural expectation seems to be that such individuals would not be treated poorly.

Jesus came -- as He Himself stated -- "TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THE LOST." ( Luke 19:10) Aren't we thankful He did? Do we rejoice at the difference His coming has made for our life now and for the eternal hope that is ours? Think of those whose lives were dynamically touched during the three short years of His ministry on earth. He saved from demons, disability, disease, and death; miracles that though they could not be denied were sometimes grumbled against because of when they took place. (i.e. Matthew 12:10-14) Such should have convinced both those who experienced and those who witnessed them of Who Jesus was. ( John 10:25 & 38) However, it seemed no matter how many miracles or signs were performed there were still those who refused to believe. ( John 12:37)

Consider one of the statements made toward Jesus as He hung on the cross. We read. . .
"(41) So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, (42) 'HE SAVED OTHERS; HE CANNOT SAVE HIMSELF. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him." ( Matthew 27:41-42 ESV)

What a combination of statements; acknowledging what He did for others that could only be done by Him and wondering why He could not save Himself! Here was just one more opportunity for these leaders to insult Jesus when they should have honestly acknowledged what He had done and HONORED Him instead.

Praise God for Jesus' humble, merciful, and sacrificial spirit on behalf of others. Praise the Lord for having not used His power to come down from the cross in an "I'll show you" fashion toward those who challenged Him that day, but instead remained there offering Himself for our sins and eventually revealing the power over death through His resurrection from the dead. May we continue to HONOR the One Who has saved us from our sins. May that HONOR be clearly evident through the manner in which we live our daily lives.

Have a great day ACKNOWLEDGING THE SAVING POWER OF JESUS!
Carl

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