Preparing for Easter: Christ's Faithfulness

patrick-fore-b_shpu5m3nk-unsplash.jpg

Today’s Reading: Matthew 26:36-46

Jesus prays in the garden to have the cup taken from him. He ends his prayer with the statement “yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). He knew the agony that was before him. He knew the scorn and abuse he would take. Yet he chose to accept God’s will even though he asked to have it taken from him.  This is Biblical faith. Jesus asks for something while realizing that what he asks for is not as great as the father’s will.  He is faithful even when what he was facing was devastating.

How easy it is to be faithful to God when things are as we want. How easy it is to seek God when things are going our way. But how hard it is to have faith when we face something that is not merely unpleasant but painful and hard...

Biblical faith is not afraid to ask boldly for something while not being so presumptuous to assume that we know what is best. Jesus was faithful and his faithfulness brought about our greatest victory. It was through his obedience and faithfulness that we are saved.

Max Lucado writes, “Ponder the achievement of God. He doesn't condone our sin, nor does he compromise his standard. He doesn't ignore our rebellion, nor does he relax his demands. Rather than dismiss our sin, he assumes our sin and, incredibly, sentences himself. God's holiness is honored. Our sin is punished....and we are redeemed. God does what we cannot do so we can be what we dare not dream: perfect before God.”

When we face things that are unpleasant and seem unnecessary, it is helpful to look at Jesus’ faithfulness and be encouraged to move forward in faithfulness.

Dr. Kurt Bjorklund

Kurt is the Senior Pastor at Orchard Hill Church and has served in that role since 2005. Under his leadership, the church has grown substantially, developed the Wexford campus through two significant expansions, and launched two new campuses. Orchard Hill has continued to serve the under-served throughout the community.

Kurt’s teaching can be heard weekdays on the local Christian radio and his messages are broadcast on two different television stations in Pittsburgh. Kurt is a sought-after speaker, speaking at several Christian colleges and camps. He has published a book with Moody Press called, Prayers For Today.

Before Orchard Hill, Kurt led a church in Michigan through a decade of substantial growth. He worked in student ministry in Chicago as well as served as the Director of Outreach/Missions for Trinity International University. Kurt graduated from Wheaton College (BA), Trinity Divinity School (M. Div), and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (D. Min).

Kurt and his wife, Faith, have four sons.

https://twitter.com/KurtBjorklund1
Previous
Previous

Imagined Jesus #4: Self-Help Jesus

Next
Next

Learning to Lead like Jesus (Boyd Bailey) | Book Review