Something to Think About
As Christians, we often tell others that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. We tell our children, we tell new believers, and we tell those who have not yet come to know Christ of this wonderful gift. I wonder how many of those that we tell really understand how great of a sacrifice this really was. I wonder how many Christians have really put this sacrifice into the proper perspective. I thought I knew the impact of this until recently. And, God has put this on my heart to share with all of you.
Something to Think About
by Jere Mendenhall
One night I had a dream, and in my dream God spoke to me. God said, "Jere, do you understand the sacrifice that my Son, Jesus, made for you on the cross"?
I replied, "Yes, Lord. Jesus gave His life to pay for our sins. And, those who believe in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life and will one day enter the kingdom of God". I was feeling pretty good about my answer ... until He spoke again.
God said, "That is the result of what He did. Do you understand the sacrifice"?
Now I was scared and confused. I knew that Jesus gave up His life for me. But apparently, this was not the answer that God was looking for. I got down on my knee's and said, "Father, I know that Jesus died for me. He gave up his life for me. I do not understand how I am to answer".
God said, "Jere, you have a wife and children whom you love very much. Would you give your life to save them"?
"Yes Lord, without a doubt I would give my life for them".
Then, He said, "What about your dearest friends, would you do the same for them"?
I started to answer, but then stopped. I wanted to say, "Yes", but something made me stop and think about this. God is my top priority, my family second. If I gave my life for a friend, wouldn't I be abandoning my family? Yet, how could I let a friend die if I could save them? Finally, I said, "Lord, I want to say 'Yes', but I can not. If faced with that decision I would have to choose between my family and my friend. I am not certain what that choice would be".
God said, "Jesus had the same decision and He chose you. What about your neighbor, the one that sells drugs and screams and uses my name in vain when he is angry? How about those that you hear about on TV, the ones who steal or sell drugs to children? Or, the ones who brutally rape and kill women and children? These stories sicken you every time you hear them. Would you give your life for these people"?
I could not answer. Of all the times I thought of the sacrifice that Jesus made, I never understood the magnitude of it. After a moment of silence, God said, "That's right, Jere. Jesus not only died for you. He also died for them. And, all they have to do is believe ... believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, believe that He died on the cross for them, ask forgiveness for their sins, and believe that His blood has washed them of their sins. Then, they too will have eternal life".
I had never taken the time to really try to understand this before. But I can tell you that I will never forget it. And the next time I tell someone that Jesus died for them, you can believe that I will make sure they fully understand what it means.
Jere
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