Jesus’ Plan = God’s Plan for Us by Bryan Craig
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple… So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27,33 ESV
I love Jesus, and I love Easter and all that it represents. I usually like to participate in the Lenten tradition of fasting and sacrifice for the 40 days leading up to Easter, so that I will have a daily reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice. This year, for some reason, I did not do that. And overall, I felt like the 40 days leading up to Easter were not much different than my normal days.
All of this was heavy in my spirit on Good Friday. As I was waking up and getting ready, the Lord reminded me of a Good Friday reflection that one of the local churches hosted each year. I felt a prompting to attend. Then, I went to a men’s group that morning, and one of the men mentioned the same church’s Good Friday reflection, and I knew God was nudging me that direction. After the men’s group, I had a few free hours so I went to the church.
They had several Prayer Stations with different scenes marking Jesus’ journey to the Cross, ending with a time in the Chapel where you could take Communion. The very first station was all about Judas and his betrayal of Jesus for the 30 pieces of silver. They even had silver coins strewn on the table. And I noticed a Prayer Prompt:
Lord, forgive me for undervaluing Your true worth and trading my allegiance for something far less worthy. For what small “price” do I sometimes betray You or compromise my unwavering loyalty to You?
- For the approval of others?
- For an opportunity to elevate or promote myself?
- For a chance to indulge myself?
Immediately, I was struck with sadness and grief and remorse for all the times I think of myself and my desires, my dreams, my life, but I had never thought of those things as a potential betrayal of my Lord Jesus. I was wrecked. Even as I write this and reflect on that moment, tears are flowing. Oh, forgive me, Lord.
Needless to say, my time in this Good Friday reflection was humbling, heartbreaking, powerful, but also so healing. As I repented, I felt the Lord’s gracious, loving hand upon me. I felt Him take my burden and lighten my load. It changed the whole trajectory of my Easter in one moment.
In the midst of all of this, I had a conversation with our founder, Rocky.
He was noting 3 important aspects of Easter.
- Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, the ultimate sacrifice for others.
- Jesus rose from the dead, to a new life.
- Jesus stayed on Earth, in his risen body, for 40 days before ascending to Heaven.
Rocky pointed out that this is God’s plan for us, as well.
- We must be crucified in Christ to our sin nature and old way of life.
- He raises us up into a Spirit-filled life, full of His fruit and empowered to minister.
- When our time on Earth is through, we, too, will ascend to join Him in Heaven.
I had never before made that direct connection, but it made so much sense to me. And as I entered into Jesus’ betrayal and His pain and suffering and His conquering of death, I understood just how much Jesus wants us to identify with Him in His death, in His resurrection and in His ascension.
And I carried this powerful moment into Easter Sunday, where I felt the Lord’s joy and gladness and His victory. I will carry it into this year, and the coming years, as I walk in this crucified, Spirit-filled body until it’s my time to ascend. All those things I spent so much time worrying about… me, me, me… have faded away in the Light of His glorious grace.