Do you ever feel like you're not getting what you deserve?
Or how about, do you ever feel like you're getting something you don't deserve?
I feel like that a lot.
Most of the time it's that second feeling and I really don't want what I’m getting.
It's pretty annoying to take the blame for something you don't deserve. It's very frustrating and it usually makes me pretty mad. Then I waste a lot of time feeling sorry for myself, getting angry, and complaining.
But sometimes when you get something you don't deserve, it's a fun thing. Sometimes you deserve something horrible, something you really don't want. Then suddenly, that horrible thing you were dreading is gone. Without warning, you're given something you don't deserve, something good. Something you actually want.
That is pretty awesome when it happens. But even then, I usually spend much more time and thought thinking about the bad things that happen rather then the good things.
The other day was one of those times. I had just gotten something bad that I didn't think I deserved. I was angry and upset and I was letting it severely affect my attitude and my ability to show love.
Then something happened.
A thought suddenly came into my head.
"Jesus didn't get what He deserved"
I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Jesus didn't get what He deserved"
Jesus was whipped, He didn't deserve it. Jesus hung on a cross, He didn't deserve it.
Jesus was spit on, hated, bruised, beaten, mocked.
Jesus died for MY SINS. MINE. He didn't deserve that, I did.
Jesus took what I deserved.
Jesus paid my debt and then GAVE me something I didn't deserve.
Instead of getting what I deserved, I was given a gift of a new life, forgiveness, eternal life in heaven and a relationship with GOD.
Here I was, being a total brat because I felt that I was being treated unjustly, while forgetting that Jesus truly HAD been treated unjustly, for me. What right did I have to complain and cry and hate?
Jesus had suffered and died, but he still loved the criminals hanging beside Him. He still loved the men who had whipped him and nailed spikes through His hands. He still loved the people who spit and jeered at Him. He still loved me. Me, a wretch. Me, who was being a complete brat. Me, who thought I had a right to be angry because life was being fair to me. Me. He still loved me.
Jesus had been treated with the greatest injustice of all so I could have grace, and I wasn't willing to show grace to those around me. Jesus loves those who despised Him and I couldn't love those who love me.
When Jesus was hanging on that cross, taking my punishment, he said "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"
Jesus had forgiven me. He forgave me for being a brat. He forgave me and he loved me, even when I was unlovable. Furthermore, He was willing to help me do the same with those around me. What a gift!
Easter is in three days. In three days we will celebrate the fact Jesus took something He didn’t deserve so he could give us something we don’t deserve.
This Easter this fact is especially evident to me and I hope that this Easter I will be truly grateful for that, and that I will be able to take the love and grace God has shown me and give it to those around me.
Jesus did many things here on earth so that we would have someone to look to, so that we would have someone to imitate. Taking things we don't deserve and giving love and grace to those who don't deserve it is one thing Jesus did and it’s one way we can imitate Christ.
How will you imitate Him this Easter?
Ephesians 5:1
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and
live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a
fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
