We Have Won!

It is Finished

I have seen the Passion of the Christ twice.  The first time was when it came out in the theatres when I was in high-school. I remember my heart hurting, sobbing, and watching the screen with my mouth wide open in utter horror. And then of course at the end, crying tears of joy and wanted to shout Hallelujah when Jesus stands up in the tomb and you see the holes.  After the movie I decided that one time was enough and I never wanted to see it again.

Today, instead of having our class, we watched The Passion of the Christ. I really didn’t’ want to. This week of classes has been so intense spiritually, and I was secretly hoping for a lighthearted missions documentary or something. Nope. The Passion of the Christ.  So now I am completely drained spiritually and just a complete mess. Jesus has made me a mess because He’s got to put me back together again and make me more beautiful than I was before.

This week we have been studying about how the enemy attacks us, deceives us, and how we must surrender our entire life over to Christ.  Its been really challenging and I’ve learned some things that I never knew. Yesterday the Lord really broke me and spoke to me. My Lord. My Jesus.  Sometimes I forget what He did for me. What He CHOSE to do for me. He chose to surrender His OWN will to the will of God. Even though He was equal with God, humbled Himself and made Himself a servant so that I might have eternal life. Abundant life. And moreover, a life with Him. With my God. My Savior. My Jesus.

Have you seen Saving Private Ryan? Near the end, the soldier Ryan goes to the gravesite where  the Captain who died for him is buried. The soldier looks at the Captain’s tombstone and says, “I hope that, at least in your eyes, I've earned what all of you have done for me.” In otherwords, “Is the way I have lived my life worth the sacrifice you made for me?  Worth your death in place of mine?” Wow. My question is this: Am I living my life in a way that makes Christ sacrifice, torturous death for me worth it?”  I’m not asking myself this to bring guilt. But to bring about a passion in me to want to live the kind of life that was worth dying for.  

There is life to be had. Abundant life. Freedom. Joy. Grace. Mercy. LOVE. Why don’t we grab hold of these things since they are given to us freely? Why do I continue to live in my own world of fear, distrust, control, independence, etc.  Did you know that when Jesus cried out, “It is Finished” on the cross,  the  greek word is  tetelestai? And one meaning of that word is one  that soldiers would cry out in the streets of Rome after they had won a battle to proclaim their victory! It was as if, on the cross, Jesus was looking up and saying, “Papa…we’ve won!” Beloved! We have won! LETS LIVE LIKE WE HAVE WON!!!

God obviously has a lot that He is doing in my life. And honestly, it a painful and tiring process. I’m so exhausted spiritually and emotionally after classes that I have to take a nap! And if you know me…I don’t take naps.  But, to God be the glory and I can’t wait to see what He continues to do.