Going to Great Lengths

It is easy to recognise the great lengths Jesus Christ went to fulfill His divine purpose to seek and save sinners.  The Son of God willingly chose to put on human flesh and became like us, born of a woman.  Saddled in a human body with fleshly needs and desires, God experienced what it is like to not "feel" like doing something you should do.  Jesus is distinct from all other people on our planet because He always did the will of the Father gladly.  Consider what limitations God willingly put upon Himself to be contained in the body of a newborn in the womb of Mary before being born, was raised in a family, and was told what to do by imperfect people!

God left His glorious habitation in heaven and came to earth in the person of Jesus.  There are some people who can afford to travel around the globe first class, but they would rather have others attend to such business.  They would rather stay where they are than go through the inconvenience and expense of travel.  Jesus humbled himself infinitely more than a billionaire who flies coach.  Jesus could have sent out messengers to invite people to come to Him for teaching, yet He walked to distant cities to call each of His disciples in person.  Many times the Scriptures describe Jesus going somewhere but suddenly stopped, conversed, healed or delivered people from maladies of all kinds.  He even went into the homes of Pharisees who only sought to find fault with Him so they could hear Him speak of the kingdom of God.

The life and ministry of Jesus on earth reached a crescendo when He willingly went to the cross and was crucified.  Though He was falsely accused and did no wrong, Jesus willingly shed His blood so hateful people who deserved damnation could have their sins atoned for, receive pardon and enjoy eternal life by faith in Him.  There was absolutely nothing more Jesus could have done to redeem sinners and raise those dead in sins to new life:  He could not have possibly humbled Himself more, gone further, done more, or loved more because He did all.  God demonstrated His love for us while we were sinners by dying for us, something only the bravest would do for the most worthy.  Jesus did it for every one of His enemies because He loves them.  Then He rose from the dead according to the Scriptures and proved His power over sin and death.

There can be a grave misunderstanding among Christians, that because Jesus has gone to such lengths and has "paid it all" there is no work to be done or sacrifice required as we follow Him.  While Jesus has set us free from sin and death by His sacrifice, we continue to live in bodies that are inclined to go our own way rather than doing God's will.  As Jesus has gone to great lengths for our salvation, we ought to willingly go to any length to cease from habitual sin to walk in victory He has provided.  Resolving to try to do better will not help us in our aim to please God, but we must do as Jesus commanded His disciples:  to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him.  For those who have decided to follow Jesus, this is a decision we must continue making daily by definite submission to God's will by obedience as helped by the Holy Spirit.  It is only then we can walk in the victory Jesus has won by God's grace.