John 2:19 – “Destroy this temple and I will raise it up again in three days.”
Who said Jesus can’t ‘throw down’? Jesus is throwing a gauntlet down right at the devil’s feet. Instead of fearing death, Jesus challenged it! Instead of running from the horrible experience that was coming, He ran at it with the promise that death would not keep Him down.
I wish I could say that this is what I do when the enemy comes to my door with suffocating threats. However, my most common reaction is to panic and cower in fear. There’s often some emotional thumb sucking and a tantrum or two. So if Jesus is my example, anything less than a “Go ahead, Devil. Make my day” attitude is not reacting as He did.
So why could Jesus run at the threats and throw down a challenge when He was opposed? Because He knew Who He was and what He was called to do. And He knew the One Who promised resurrection life to Him is faithful to execute on every word He’s spoken. That’s the perspective that is going to give me the courage to stand up to all threats and fear and even face down death if I have to.
Speaking of facing down death, there are people in the world who are in physical peril for the Gospel right now. Their lives and the lives of their families are on the line every day because of their faith in and service to Jesus Christ. This scripture must be so encouraging and comforting to them as it reinforces their faith that Jesus conquered death, hell and the grave, triumphing over all of it. If their lives are required of them, the Firstborn from the dead has assured them of resurrection to eternal life. That’s not a myth or a happy thought. Until we’re faced with those decisions, we’ll never know how real heaven is – and how close it is to each of us.
As for me though, up to this point, I have not lived a life in danger because of the Gospel. My life and lifestyle have not been in jeopardy because of my faith in Jesus. However, with the state of the world and national affairs, I am foolish to think that the day couldn’t come when I am asked to choose between my life and my confession of faith in Jesus. Only my relationship with a living Lord will cause my mouth to speak the truth in that moment. Anything less will not sustain and hold me fast when my life is on the line and I am faced with the possibility of death.
To be continued…
Come back for Part 2 on Friday!
Cecily is a mother to one daughter and three sons and a step mother to two daughters. She is a native New Englander, who, while fairly-well traveled, has never lived anywhere outside of New England. She loves the beach, the mountains, good food, and football (she’s been a BIG Patriot’s fan before it was cool to be one!). She loves to cook and you will most likely find her scanning PaleoOMG.com or Pinterest for her next recipe challenge. She is an avid fitness freak, indulging in Spin, Kickboxing, and Insanity classes along with running and working out at home.
But Cecily’s greatest passion is finding hidden treasures and bold Truth in God’s Word and teaching it in such a way that everyone can understand and remember what they heard. Nothing thrills her more than when someone comes up to her and says that they have been changed by something she taught (especially when they remember the message better than she does!). Cecily is a late bloomer in the blogosphere as she was very busy raising 6 children, volunteering in their schools, starting her career as an Executive Assistant, being the Worship and Arts director at her church and then recently taking the directorship of the Women’s Ministry. Life with 6 kids in a blended family posed more challenges than the Apollo 13 team had to face, and has given Cecily endless messages and potential blog posts! Cecily speaks at Women’s Conferences and at her church as a guest minister from time to time. Her husband John is a stalwart supporter of everything she does and is her greatest cheerleader. Now that the children are grown (they keep coming home, though!), Cecily has more time to write and speak about these wonderful life lessons regarding faith, blended family life, financial and marital challenges and the joys of watching God show off His faithfulness.
Women identify with Cecily because she has survived divorce, single-motherhood, being in the trenches blending a family, loving an addict, the stresses of ministry and marketplace jobs, and the life change of children growing up and becoming adults. Cecily has not only survived but thrived as a result of every difficult and unforeseen circumstance. She loves to boast about God’s faithfulness and the importance that her day-to-day, intimate relationship with Jesus has made through it all. She shares keys and practical steps that encourage women (and men!) to pursue the Lord for themselves and not sell their ability to hear from God short. Cecily’s favorite topics to talk and write about are Hearing God’s voice, Journaling for life, and Myth-busting.
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