The Only One Worthy

You believe in a God who died for you. 

Let that sink in. He is the pure and spotless Lamb who was slain. Picture Him… 

Scourged. Bloody. Bruised. Broken. Beaten. Mocked and nailed to a tree. Why would He endure this suffering? Why did He come to earth? 

He came to give His life for you. He came as a ransom, a payment for your freedom. He came for you to see His great love for you that He was willing to pay the most costly price. He held the power over death, yet yielded His life to it that you would not have to suffer separation from Him. The same passion that burned inside of Him, the zeal that led Him to the cross, is the same longing that churns in His heart for your love and affection today....

Look at the marks on His hands and the wounds on His side. These marks say, "I love you." The scars say, "I've never stopped loving you…yesterday, today, and forever." I often resonate with Mary Magdalene, who came to the tomb after Jesus's death, not knowing what she'd see. Weeping, she waited at the foot of the tomb, wondering where they'd taken her Lord. Mary loved Jesus; she'd followed Him and been set free because of His kindness and power. Jesus became everything: her life's love and her most prized possession. Now, that body was taken from her. Weeping, she stooped low, not knowing what she'd see… 

John the Beloved writes, "Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?"

She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away."

Jesus said to her, "Mary!"

She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher)." John 20:14-16

Can you imagine the hope!? The wellspring of joy bubbles up as her eyes are opened to her Jesus, crucified and RISEN! He's alive, He's alive, He's alive…Her heart must've run wild with love and life! Oh, but what did Jesus feel in that moment? Noticing her great sorrow and seeing that in an instant, with just one glimpse of His risen body, all of her tears vanished. Every fear, every question, and every concern was healed and relinquished just because He was alive. Thank you, God, HE'S ALIVE! 

This is what He came for…This is what He paid for. He came for you and me to realize that this God whom we serve gave His body over to complete and utter suffering. He bore the shame and the sin, and He took on everything! He journeyed to the lowest place possible, and now He is the name above all names. He's the only one worthy to pay for your sin. He's the only one worthy to stand before the throne. His sinless life bore the weight of humanity's sins. Punishment on His skin for your freedom. In His life is your LIFE, in Him is your victory, and in Him is the most profound love you'll ever encounter. 

There will come a day when the Lamb will be the light, and we will always be with Him. (Rev. 21:23). Until that day, He's poured out His Holy Spirit so that we may always overflow with His presence. He desires us to be near to Him. As He suffered on the cross, He desired nearness. As He rose and revealed Himself in the garden, He desired nearness. He desired nearness as He broke bread and shared a meal with the disciples. As He poured out His Spirit on the day of Pentecost, He desired nearness. Daily, what does He desire from you and me? Nearness. 

Here's a question. Has the revelation of the cross changed everything about you? Do you know that your life is not yours, and He is worthy of your complete surrender and trust? Look at Him. Look at the scars, the marks. The torment He felt in His earthly body was nothing compared to the thought of eternal separation from you. So, He did what no one else could do to pay for you.

You've been bought at a very high price. When you stand before the throne and come before Him, it's not your blood but His blood that deems you worthy. When you preach the gospel, you're not proclaiming your goodness or works - you're praising His! HIS works and HIS perfection! Let this freedom and joy wash over you today. 

Here's another question. Why do you do what you do? Daily, what is the purpose and motivation behind waking up, spending time with Him, eating breakfast, going to work, working out, loving your family, calling your friend, posting that picture… What's the purpose? Does all of our life flow from the realization that only one is worthy, and He's worthy to have and enjoy all of us and our lives? Are you burning with a longing to love Him and to love His people? 

He's after all of you. He didn't pay the price on the tree for just a devotional time in the morning. He deserves all of your life. Selfishness, greed, self-preservation…all of these things can thwart our understanding of the gospel. He died that we may live IN HIM…We don't follow Jesus and our career ambitions. We don't follow Jesus and orchestrate our schedules or agendas. WE follow Jesus, period. He is trustworthy and perfect, and only HE is the way, the truth, and the love. 

Human accolades, perceptions of man, followers, performance, and worldly success do not equate to worthiness. His hands, feet, and life scattered on the cross, His resurrection from the grave, His life poured out, His Kingdom come. He is ALONE worthy. 

Wherever you're at today, I encourage you to surrender. I'm doing this with you as I type this… There's a fresh opportunity for the mercy of God to pour out into your life and open your eyes to the revelation of His Son. Repent. The Kingdom of God has come. Lay down all ambition, concern, pride, and lust at His feet. Allow His Holy Spirit to wash you clean, His Word to rejuvenate you. Walk with Him. Talk with Him. Learn His heart for you and His people. 

His heart was torn, and your love mends it. Tend to His heart today by giving Him your entire life. Enjoy the delight of the Father rush in as He consumes all that you are and all that you become. 

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